Enzo Maresca sends message to Raheem Sterling as transfer deadline looms | Football

Sterling has been exiled from the first team squad at Stamford Bridge and is training with the other outcasts in what has been dubbed the ‘bomb squad’ with the likes of Ben Chilwell and Trevoh Chalobah.

The Blues are desperate to get rid of their unwanted players on deadline day, but they are on long contracts and very well paid, so it is not an easy thing to do, despite their quality.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus have all been linked with moves for Sterling, but none will be willing to meet his current salary worth £325,000-per-week.

A deal could still be done for the England international before Friday’s transfer deadline, but if it isn’t, Maresca is clear that Sterling will not be playing for him until he does leave.

Arteta and Sterling worked together at Manchester City and the Spaniard feels he would be a great option across his forward line, including as much-needed back-up to Bukayo Saka.

Chelsea were in action on Thursday night in the Europa Conference League, without Sterling, and lost 2-1 to Swiss side Servette.

‘I think the first half an hour we scored a goal and had three or four more chances, and if we were able to score then the game was finished because it would have been 2-0,’ said Maresca.

‘And then we conceded a goal and it’s normal to suffer a little bit. I said yesterday, but I was very, very worried about this game because they are tricky games.

‘For them, it’s probably the game of their season. Against us, the pitch is not great, the environment, it’s 30 degrees and I was very worried about the condition of the game.

‘On and off the ball, the team was very aggressive. We created four or five chances in the first-half and if we score, the game is finished. Then it is football, they score and it’s a boost for them. But in the end, we deserved it, so we are happy.’

Chelsea progressed 3-2 on aggregate despite the loss, progressing to the group phase of the Europa Conference League.