It would be fair to say that Chelsea have had quite a chaotic summer this year.
The Blues were tasked with finding their fourth permanent manager of the Todd Boehly era, which ended up being Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca and they continued their hoarding transfer strategy as their first team squad balloons up to well over 40 players.
While some managers would love to have such depth it can also cause problems in the dressing room and it seems that there's already friction at Stamford Bridge ahead of the first game of the season.
Star winger and England International Raheem Sterling was left out of the match day squad for Chelsea's opener against his old side Manchester City with Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer favoured to start out wide along with Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk and new signing Pedro Neto being the wing covers on the bench.
Your first Chelsea XI for 24/25. 💙#CFC | #CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/4ap2nzIa9W
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2024
Minutes after the squad was announced Sterling's camp released a bizarre statement where they say Sterling looks forward to 'gaining clarity' on his status with the club.
Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years. 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.
The statement baffled many fans and pundits including Jamie Carragher who was very blunt in his feeling towards the situation.
Massive fan of Raheem as a player & a lad.
Not a fan of the Chelsea set up with owners etc…
But this statement is ridiculous!
As a camp………..!
We look forward to gaining clarity…….!!
No need for a statement, especially an hour before kick off!!
Just play better 👍 https://t.co/fjVpJ9dwDN— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 18, 2024
It is quite the unusual move from Sterling's camp but it may indicate that he may be looking for a move away from Stamford Bridge.
Since joining in 2022 the former Manchester City and Liverpool star has scored 19 goals in 81 appearances in all competitions and lost his spot in the England squad in the Euros just gone.
Sterling is still only 29 years old and coupled with his vast experience he should still be held in high regard for any team. However this statement is not the most ideal way of going about looking for a move.
The Premier League season hasn't even started and there's already chaos at Stamford Bridge, could it be a sign of what's to come?
