One of the Chelsea players missing from the team for this week’s Europa Conference League play-off matchup against Servette is Raheem Sterling.
The Blues play Swiss opponents on Thursday night. The second leg is scheduled for August 29 in Switzerland, and the victors advance to the competition’s group stages.
After being left out of the starting lineup for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Manchester City, Sterling is not included in the starting lineup for the second straight game. His representatives released a statement demanding “clarity” over his future as a result of this decision.
‘Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years,’ Sterling’s camp said.
‘He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with.
‘He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.
‘As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.’
Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo were also not included in the squad.
Adarabioyo, who joined the club on a free transfer from Fulham this summer, was an unused substitute on Sunday against City with Fofana playing the full 90.
Like Sterling, Chilwell did not make the squad that day with Enzo Maresca last week urging the left-back to find a new club.
The Chelsea boss said: ‘The reason he did not play [in a pre-season friendly] versus Inter was because, with Chilly it is quite clear, even though I love the way he is, the problem is, he is struggling a bit to find the right position.
‘This morning we had 22 players training and if you ask all of them they will say they want to play against City on Sunday. But that is impossible. When you train every day and do not get any minutes it is not good for them or for me.
‘I need to make a decision and probably it is better to leave and go and get minutes. The transfer window is open so we’ll see what happens.’