Chelsea’s Summer Clearout and Enzo Maresca’s Admission on Raheem Sterling’s Exit
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made several significant decisions during the summer transfer window, overseeing the departures of 25 players to trim the club’s oversized squad. Among the notable exits were Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher, Lewis Hall, Romelu Lukaku, and Raheem Sterling, who either left on loan or permanent transfers.
Interestingly, Ben Chilwell also expressed a desire to leave but ultimately stayed at Stamford Bridge. Initially, he was frozen out of the squad, but with Marc Cucurella performing well at left-back, Chilwell may find opportunities in cup competitions or European matches to reclaim his place in the team.
One of the higher-profile exits involved Raheem Sterling, who joined Arsenal on a season-long loan. Maresca admitted that despite wanting to keep Sterling, Chelsea’s overcrowded squad made it impossible to retain him.
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking to TNT Sports, Maresca explained, “I want Raheem Sterling, but I want all the 30 players we have, there is no space for him.” This decision reportedly didn’t sit well with Chelsea’s co-owner Todd Boehly, who was unhappy with the treatment of the England international.
Since moving to Arsenal, Sterling has struggled to make a significant impact, featuring only twice and failing to impress against Tottenham Hotspur. While he has shown sharpness in training, he has yet to transfer that form onto the pitch. With Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta easing him into the team, Sterling will be looking to prove himself, especially given Chelsea’s recent attacking additions of Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix, and Pedro Neto.
Chelsea’s Summer Clearout and Enzo Maresca’s Admission on Raheem Sterling’s Exit
