Sterling & Chilwell 'will not get minutes' if they stay at Chelsea

Chelsea head Enzo Maresca has told Raheem Sterling and nan different members of his squad who are yet to beryllium progressive this play that they "will not get immoderate minutes" if they enactment astatine nan club.

Sterling, 29, has made 81 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Manchester City for £50m successful July 2022 but is yet to characteristic this season.

His representatives released a connection earlier nan opening crippled of nan play against City saying he expected to beryllium involved.

Sterling has been linked pinch clubs including Manchester United and has not sewage a squad number - but nan transportation model closes connected Friday.

Speaking earlier Chelsea's Uefa Conference League play-off 2nd limb against Servette, Maresca repeated his stance that Sterling, England left-back Ben Chilwell and nan different players he has stiff retired from nan squad truthful acold will not play for him.

"I for illustration to beryllium honorable pinch players," he said. "The ones who are not progressive are not going to beryllium progressive and they won't get immoderate minutes if they stay.

"I don't cognize what happens erstwhile nan model closes if they are still here. The ones who will get minutes are nan ones I deliberation tin thief us.

"Raheem is simply a awesome feline who has trained very well. Every head has a different thought and he is nan benignant of winger that is not 1 that I like. History and numbers speak for Raheem. He knows precisely what he needs to do.

"The remainder are training apart, they are not going to get minutes. I person been clear and honorable pinch them."

Chelsea person signed 10 players this summertime and gave cardinal subordinate Cole Palmer a statement hold until 2033.

But Maresca denied suggestions it was "a huffy club."

He added: "I tin opportunity that this is not a huffy club. Since I joined nan nine we are moving successful 1 direction. The players who arrived are ones we wanted to bring.

"There is simply a clear guidance wherever nan nine wants to go."