The Maresca era at Stamford Bridge got off to a bad start on Sunday when Chelsea lost 2-0 to City, with the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson getting scathing reviews.
But there was off-pitch drama too, as just before kick-off Sterling’s camp issued a statement demanding ‘clarity’ from the manager and the club after the forward was left out of the matchday squad.
The England international was one of many notable omissions from the 20-man squad alongside the likes of Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher and Romelu Lukaku.
Sterling wishes to remain in west London and Maresca has since clarified that the omission was purely tactical and that he too wants the player to stay.
But the manager also admitted he wasn’t sure if the former Liverpool and City star would still be a Chelsea player come the end of the transfer window, saying in his post-match press conference: ‘I don’t know [if he will stay].
‘The only thing I can say is that it was a technical decision and in the next day, we will want to sit and clarify the situation but it is nothing more than that.
‘For all the players, they are Chelsea players. If they are going to be Chelsea players, then we will try to use them but no more than technical decision.
‘I want Raheem Sterling but I want all the 30 players we have. But there is no space for all of them. So for some of them, they have to leave.’
It remains to be seen if the statement will affect the relationship between Sterling and Maresca, with the 29-year-old tentatively linked with Juventus, though his £300,000-a-week wages are a sticking point.
Statement from Raheem Sterling’s camp:
‘Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years.
‘He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with.
‘He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.
‘As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.
‘Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively.’
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was not impressed by the player’s actions, tweeting: ‘Massive fan of Raheem as a player and a lad. Not a fan of the Chelsea set up with owners etc.
‘But this statement is ridiculous! “As a camp”. “We look forward to gaining clarity”.
‘No need for a statement, especially an hour before kick off!! Just play better.’
Reds icon Jamie Redknapp was equally scathing, adding on Sky Sports: ‘He must have initiated that statement. He said he’s come back two weeks early, you know what? That’s really nice of him.
‘He didn’t have the Euros, if he wants to come back two weeks early there’s no need to talk about it – just get on with getting better. He hasn’t been great since he’s been at Chelsea when he’s come into games, or started matches, he hasn’t been good enough.
‘So if the manager doesn’t want to play you, just get on with it. You don’t come out and get your representatives to do that, especially the day of a game. I think that’s absolute rubbish, he should do better than that.’
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