Chelsea Attacker ‘Expresses Preference’ To Depart Club on Permanent Deal Following Discussions Regarding Future

Raheem Sterling could leave Chelsea before the end of the transfer window after being told by Enzo Maresca that he does not plan to use him in his squad this season.

Raheem Sterling To Depart For Pastures New?

The Latest On Sterling’s Future

Chelsea fans were left with several questions after Sterling was left out of the Blues’ matchday squad on Sunday for the team’s game against Manchester City despite no rumours of an injury or disagreements with Maresca.

During a press conference the Italian manager shed some light on the situation surrounding the 29-year-old, saying that he is currently in a separate group away from the first team – much like Conor Gallagher was in the lead-up to his Atletico Madrid move – suggesting that his time at the club could be up.

‘They [Sterling and Ben Chilwell] are, in this moment, training apart. The situation for both of them is quite clear. There is no update.’

When asked by reporters whether he is being fair in his treatment of the winger, Maresca emphasised his desire to be straight with his players.

‘Brutal? I don’t think so. I try to be honest. I said, I can repeat if it’s not clear, I spoke with Raheem before City. I said that he’s going to struggle to get minutes.’

Not long after Maresca’s conference, David Ornstein reported that Sterling has ‘expressed his preference‘ to leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal, with talks to resolve his future set to take place in the coming days.

Sterling’s Time At Chelsea Far From What Was Expected of Him

Sterling was the maiden signing of the Todd Boehly era back in July 2022, with fans anticipating that he would be the fulcrum of the Blues’ attack for at least the next five years that he signed for. However, it’s not been all plain sailing for the winger who has struggled to lead the Chelsea frontline when it matters most.

After five straight seasons of double-figure goals in the league at Manchester City, the Jamaican-born England international has failed to transfer that form to SW6, scoring just 14 times in 59 Premier League matches, a far cry from the level of player Chelsea thought they were getting when they pulled out all the stops to bring him to South West London just over two years ago.

Currently on £325,000 p/week at Stamford Bridge (per Capology), Sterling is on a similar wage to that of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne, both of whom are performing at the level you’d expect being on such a salary.

His stalling form over the past couple of seasons has also cost him his place in the England squad, where for Gareth Southgate he was one of his country’s most consistent players, his last cap coming against France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final.

At this current moment, it is unclear whether Sterling will stay in England or move abroad in search of his next career chapter, but what is certain is that the curtain will be coming down on his underwhelming time at Chelsea much sooner than many expected it to.