Raheem Sterling out for Chelsea ahead of Europa Conference League clash with Servette as winger seeks 'clarity' over future
Raheem Sterling's future at Chelsea has been thrown into doubt once again after being left out of the squad for the match against Servette.
It is the second consecutive game in which Sterling has been ruled out by Enzo Maresca after being omitted from the Italian's squad. lost 2-0 to Manchester City on Sunday.
This prompted the 29-year-old's team to release a statement ahead of Chelsea's defeat, where they demanded talks with search for 'clarity' about their future.
And with just ten days to go until the end of the summer transfer window, the England international may have gotten his answer.
This is because it has been omitted from ChelseaThe A-list of players submitted to UEFA for the Europa Conference League play-off first leg in west London.
Maresca's decision comes after he declared that he still wants Sterling at Chelsea following the club's defeat on Matchday 1.
Summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo was also left out of the squad, along with fellow defenders Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell.
ChilwellLike Sterling, he also faces an uncertain future at Chelsea, and Maresca has already stated that the left-back is free to leave.
Although the captain Reece James – back from a minor injury – has been named in the squad.
Maresca is scheduled to hold a news conference on Wednesday where he will likely answer questions about his high-profile omissions.
And talkSPORT presenter Flex believes Chelsea's decision to leave Sterling out is a clear sign they are trying to force him out.
Speaking on the Transfer Insiders Show, he said: “They're trying to force him out, that's what it looks like.”
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“He was one of the first signings – if not the first if I'm not mistaken – in this Clearlake era.
“And the fact that they gave him the high salary that he had, actually goes against what their current model is.
“They have evolved from there and now have lower salaries and nine-year contracts.
“The truth of the matter is that Chelsea have created this environment, so it was only a matter of time.
“I'm surprised it wasn't Conor Gallagher with his treatment, I'm surprised it wasn't a player before.
“I don't approve of the timing of (Sterling's) statement just before kick-off, I understand all that, it's not ideal.
“But here is a veteran player who has been given guarantees to a certain extent and has been led to believe that he will be involved.
“And when you have this many players to keep happy, do I feel a little sorry for the manager? Of course.
“I understand that you can't keep everyone happy, but it was only a matter of time before something blew up.
“And it turns out now it's Raheem Sterling, a very decorated player, a very experienced player who sees this and says, 'I'm better than this.'”
“And I know Chelsea fans can push back and say, 'Since he came to Chelsea, he hasn't been that good,' I understand that, but when you look at his role within the team, he's seen as a senior figure there.
“He'll look at it and say, 'I'm being disrespected here, look what's happening to Conor Gallagher as well, it's a total disaster', and I don't blame him.”
