Maresca says Chelsea are not a ‘mess’ but wants Sterling and Chilwell to leave

Chelsea want to sell Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell as head coach Enzo Maresca denied that the club’s recruitment during recent transfer windows has led to a “mess”.

Maresca confirmed the England internationals are not part of his plans and are training separately.

Sterling, who joined from Manchester City for £50million just two years ago, was told on Friday ahead of the defeat to the Premier League champions that he would not be part of the first-team squad this season and should consider his options, while Chilwell has also been informed that he can leave.

Maresca has divided his squad into two groups, one of 21 or 22 players that he intends to work with and another containing players he considers surplus – with Trevoh Chalobah also understood to be amongst the latter.

“They (Chilwell and Sterling) are in this moment training apart,” said Maresca. “The situation with both of them is quite clear.

“We have a big squad and for me it’s impossible give all of them minutes. If they are looking for minutes, probably it is better to leave.”

Chelsea, who face Swiss side Servette in the Conference League play-off round at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, have spent around £200m on acquisitions this summer, with Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix confirmed as the latest arrival on Wednesday for a fee believed to be £42m.

He is the second player signed to compete in Sterling’s position on the wing following the capture of Pedro Neto from Wolves for £54m.

The 29-year-old’s representatives issued a statement shortly ahead of kick-off against City on Sunday asking for “clarity” on his future, after he was heavily involved during the pre-season tour of the United States and featured in the club’s in-house media build-up to the game.

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