Enzo Maresca has encouraged Raheem Sterling to leave Chelsea (Image: Getty)
Enzo Maresca has emphasised that Raheem Sterling will not be reintegrated at Chelsea even if he remains a Blues player once the transfer window closes on Friday. The winger has been training on his own for the past fortnight after being informed that he is not part of Maresca's plans.
Sterling has been encouraged to find a new club before Friday's deadline but there are several hurdles that could prevent a departure from happening. Manchester United, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have all been linked, although a move to either of the latter two Premier League teams is unlikely.
It poses the possibility that Sterling remains at Chelsea beyond the summer transfer window. However, Maresca has insisted there is no route back into the first team for the England international.
The Italian said: “I said already many times, he is a fantastic person. The only thing is that every manager has a different idea. He is not the type of winger I like.
“That says nothing about Raheem. The history and the numbers speak for Raheem. For all the players that are training apart, before the transfer window closes, they will not [play].”
Sterling is one of at least 13 players training away from Chelsea’s first-team. A brutal cull has seen Maresca trim his squad to around 22 players in an attempt to avoid working with too large a group, an issue experienced by his predecessors.
Ben Chilwell and Trevoh Chalobah are other members of what has become known as the club's 'bomb squad'. So too was Conor Gallagher before the midfielder completed a move to Atletico Madrid at the start of the season.
Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling is seeking an exit before Friday's transfer deadline (Image: Getty)
Man Utd has been suggested as one possible destination for Sterling. However, that switch seems increasingly unlikely with Jadon Sancho - who was mooted as part of a potential blockbuster swap deal - reportedly set to join Juventus.
One major hurdle that could pose a risk to Sterling's exit is his reported £325,000 per-week salary. The former Manchester City forward still has three years to run on his contract and is therefore owed over £45m on his deal.
There is the possibility that Chelsea will owe Sterling significant compensation if he joins a team on drastically reduced terms. It is unlikely that any European club will be willing to match the figure he earns at Stamford Bridge.
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