Raheem Sterling is one of two Chelsea stars to lose shirt numbers, while Pedro Neto and João Félix receive new shirt numbers

Chelsea have stripped Raheem Sterling and Trevoh Chalobah of their squad numbers in an apparent last-ditch attempt to force them out of Stamford Bridge.

The duo are two members of the Blues' a bloated squad that has been forced to train separately from the first team alongside Ben Chilwell, Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Armando Broja.

3

Juventus are interested in Pound sterlingwhile talkSPORT understands Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign Chilwell given their two left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia remain injured.

Unsurprisingly, none of the players from that group were in Chelsea's squad for their opening Premier League game against Manchester City, which lost 2-0.

Sterling took the No.17 shirt when he first arrived from City in the summer of 2022 for £47.5m and switched to No.7 last season.

However, that shirt has now gone to a £54m recruit. Peter Netowho arrived from Wolves.

The move comes just days after Neto donned the number 19 shirt for his Chelsea debut against City.

As for Chalobah, he has been forced to give up his number 14 shirt for a new signing. João Felixwho wore the same shirt during his loan spell at Barcelona last season.

The Portuguese striker's return to west London was confirmed on Wednesday when Chelsea forked out £42.6m to sign him from Atletico Madrid.

During his loan at Chelsea in the second half of the 2022/23 season, Felix was given the number 11.

Chelsea confirmed the number changes in a Club statementbut stressed that “they will remain subject to changes” until the end of the transfer window.

The club also said it will allow fans who purchased Neto shirts with the number 19 on the back to exchange them for a Neto shirt with the number 7 on it until September 30.

3

3

Stripping Sterling and Chalobah of their squad numbers is the latest step in new Blues boss Enzo Maresca's ruthless attempt to force some players out.

“We have a big squad and it is impossible to give everyone minutes,” Maresca said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“If they are looking for minutes, it is better for them to leave.

“I try to be honest. I spoke to Raheem before the game against Manchester City.

“I said he would struggle to get minutes with us and that was the reason he was out.

“And Chilly is a lovely guy, but I said I would have problems with his position. He is not brutal, he is just honest.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news, rumours and gossip with our LIVE transfer blog