Sterling incurs Maresca's wrath, left out of European Conference League squad

Raheem Sterling continues to get the brunt of Enzo Maresca's stick, as he has been dropped from the squad to face Swiss side Servette in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League clash. 

The 29-year-old’s future at the club was thrown in the air when he was dropped from the squad to face Manchester City in the Premier League opening clash. The player's camp immediately released a statement, declaring his intent to continue at the club. 

Following the game, Maresca claimed to be happy with Sterling and cited the over-bloated nature of his squad for dropping him against the Premier League champions. 

Maresca has now axed the England international for consecutive games, however, after dropping him along with the defensive trio of Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo from their A-list submitted to UEFA for the two-legged tie against Servette, according to the BBC. 

Chelsea have initiated a large-scale exit operation to remedy their outsized squad. It remains to be seen if Sterling will be one of those who leave the club, as his sizable wages could prove a stumbling block. 

The Blues play Servette at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, August 22nd. The second leg will be held at the Stade de Geneve on August 29.