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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that winger Raheem Sterling and left-back Ben Chilwell are not part of his plans for the club.
Neither player was included in the matchday squad for Chelsea‘s Premier League opener at home to Manchester City on Sunday and were also omitted from the squad for UEFA Conference League playoff first leg at home to Servette on Thursday.
“I’m not saying Raheem is not a good player but I prefer a different kind of winger,” Maresca said, adding that players not in his plans could leave the club before Transfer Deadline Day on 30 August.
“We have a big squad and it is impossible to give all of them minutes, so probably it is better to leave.
“Brutal? I just try to be honest. I spoke with Raheem before the City game and said he is going to struggle to get minutes with us.
“Chilwell is a lovely guy but because of his position he is going to struggle with us.”
When he was asked about the size of the Chelsea squad which has had eight additions so far this window, with Joao Felix the latest, Maresca added: “This is not my problem. I am here to take decisions and think the best for us. I am not thinking about how many years are on the contracts.
“They have a 20-year contract? I don’t care. It’s not my job. I’m working with 21, 22 players. I’m not working with 42, 43 players.
“I can see you like to say we have 43 players but more than 15 players are training apart. They are not working with me every day. I don’t see them. It’s not a mess like it looks from outside.”
Chelsea are next in Premier League action away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
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