Raheem Sterling and several other players who are not in the new Chelsea manager’s plans. © AFP
After Enzo Maresa and Chelsea FC admitted that Raheem Sterling and several other players were not part of the new manager’s plans this season, Crystal Palace have expressed interest in signing the English forward, with Aston Villa also said to be linked. With the transfer deadline just a week away, Chelsea face the seemingly impossible task of clearing their squad of heavy baggage, with Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disassi, Trevoh Chalobah, Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka all likely to leave the west London club.
Crystal Palace would love to sign an experienced player like Sterling, and a deal might be financially viable for them given the urgency Chelsea now have to sell players, but Sterling’s current weekly wage is £320,000, and British newspaper the Daily Mail reports that Palace are seriously considering whether to sign Sterling.
Sterling was left out of Maresca’s squad for the match against Manchester City and afterwards the player’s representatives released a statement asking Chelsea for “clarity” over his future. Discussions have been held between the player and the club and the club are said to have agreed that he would actively seek a deal to leave the club.
“I am trying to be honest with everyone right now. The noise is coming from outside. More than 15 players are training separately and not together with the team. I spoke to Raheem before the Manchester City game and I told him he will struggle to get playing time with us. As for Chilly, I told him he is a great player but in his position he will struggle to play with us. Not to be cruel, but to be honest. I am not training with 42 players, I am training with 21. It is not the mess it looks like from the outside,” Maresca told reporters.
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