RAHEEM STERLING has been axed from Chelsea’s squad for a SECOND successive game.
Just two days after being dumped from Sunday’s Prem opener against Manchester City, the England winger, 29, has been excluded for Thursday's Conference League play-off with Servette.
The Blues welcome the Swiss side to Stamford Bridge for the opening of a two-legged tie that will determine if they will play European football this season.
And Sterling - who has three years left to run on his current Chelsea contract - will play no part.
Defenders Ben Chilwell, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana were also not included on Chelsea’s A-list submitted to Uefa.
But four wingers have been named ahead of Sterling — Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Sterling’s camp said in a statement before Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by City they wanted “clarity” over his future.
Chelsea have spent £185m on 11 signings this summer and their 43-man bloated squad sparked a series of hilarious memes on social media yesterday.
However, striker Armando Broja has agreed a move to Ipswich.
The Albania international will go on loan until the end of the season with a £30m option to buy.
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Chilwell dropped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge after a series of injuries over the last two campaigns.
Boss Maresca said: "The reason he did not play in our pre-season game against Inter was because, with Chilly it is quite clear, even though I love the way he is, the problem is, he is struggling a bit to find the right position.
"We had 22 players training and if you ask all of them they will say they want to play against City on Sunday. But that is impossible."
"I need to make a decision and probably it is better to leave and go and get minutes. The transfer window is open so we’ll see what happens."
Chelsea currently have 43 first team players available for selection.
Maresca admitted the squad has to be trimmed before the transfer window closes.
Meanwhile, Reece James - who recently suffered a new hamstring injury - has been included in the list of available players to face Servette on Thursday night.
Elsewhere, star-boy Palmer returned to Manchester to claim the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the 2023/24 season.
BennyDubem2k
1
Nicolas Jackson need this axe more than Sterling
vamcdeisu
0
meanwhile they're playing Jackson who don't know his arse from his elbow in front of goal so something else is at play.
For the records, Jackson scored 14 goals in EPL last season.
Cukaknort
0
I love that decision from Chelsea, may all those Rio Ferdinand and Gallagher come play him.
MotsehJr
0
He's not good enough, I'm not surprise
hiuaceity
1
It would have been better to leave out Mudryk and keep Sterling in the squad. Maresca is sick together with Chelsea management
viyacipsu
0
this is gradually taken out old players Reece James may be axed as well. Chelsea is finished
vueadmpsuy
0
Sterling is there collecting 350k per week and his playing any how his likes, I think it's best time the club owners should take action on players on a high salary that's not playing for that money they are collecting to face the consequences of it, if a player start playing good football and a bigger clubs start calling on him, he will force his way out without thinking twice, it's time for club owners let the players to know, what they know, them too know it better
You’re also writing anyhow you want
Obedienc-Daniel
1
Sterling is there collecting 350k per week and his playing any how his likes, I think it's best time the club owners should take action on players on a high salary that's not playing for that money they are collecting to face the consequences of it, if a player start playing good football and a bigger clubs start calling on him, he will force his way out without thinking twice, it's time for club owners let the players to know, what they know, them too know it better
piscilopyz
0
Sterling should join Inter Milan, I think that would work out brilliantly for both him and inter. if only I was his agent I would offer him to inter Milan.
SirOkolugbo1
0
Bad decision make by dropping Sterling 😞😕
If u had watched the pre season games u would have known that Sterling has been shit,dude keep running into players,cant beat a single player, very terrible
DELVON
1
What's is Maresca doing?... My mind is Blown....
midestivah
0
Bad decision make by dropping Sterling 😞😕
you don't want good for Chelsea,they dropped one of their setbacks and you called it what?even during the preseason the guy was horrible and disgusting to watch
nioaenptyz
1
Drop the Werey big player like that go de play nonsense de collect money
DukBright
3
This will ring a bell to the likes of mudryk, madueke and others thinking they can be playing anyhow and remain in the club, even by January window transfer many will still go.
Dumakmpuy
1
fools and some foolish fan's of today
ceocikouz
0
still 40 remaining, nobody asked ur Yahoo boy owner to be buying anyone that can kick a ball
and how was that a problem to you??? did he ask you for money?? or is he the reason your club is broke that they cannot buy players unless they sale?? or is he waisting money & buying expensively like man u that bought players out of proportion that put them under FFP which keep them in the condition that one must go b4 another comes in??? mind your club who has interest on many players but could not buy because they are broke & under treats of bridging FFP rule.
AFerXrxR9193
0
Maresca don't want English players ofcourse Gallagher Chaloba Chillwel nonsense
If you’re a coach you will know all English player are bad except mainoo and Palmer
Wurlbosswildside
1
Bad decision make by dropping Sterling 😞😕
Boucdmnoz
0
But Italian coach they are like that remember conte to Diego Costa they are useless coaches
Mind you Conte came and went as a champion.
KinqOmoba
0
enough of all these noise pollution of Chelsea having 43 players. Gallagher is already an Athletico Madrid player, broja as of today is already an Ipswich player, lukaku is 90% Napoli player and some fools are here still counting them amongst Chelsea players. get some brains
still 40 remaining, nobody asked ur Yahoo boy owner to be buying anyone that can kick a ball
Kedanruz
3
meanwhile they're playing Jackson who don't know his arse from his elbow in front of goal so something else is at play.
Hikcdeiot
1
Maresca don't want English players ofcourse Gallagher Chaloba Chillwel nonsense
Hikcdeiot
1
But Italian coach they are like that remember conte to Diego Costa they are useless coaches
Zepeklnstz
1
This coach shall fail, because of many wrong and unfair decisions
are u God, how did u know the coach will fail.
Yuneklosty
0
Massa Raheem, please WALK
ceocikouz
3
enough of all these noise pollution of Chelsea having 43 players. Gallagher is already an Athletico Madrid player, broja as of today is already an Ipswich player, lukaku is 90% Napoli player and some fools are here still counting them amongst Chelsea players. get some brains
Vieeilmp
1
Todd Boehly has damaged Chelsea football club 💙 already 🤦🥲 that's why he brings in Enzo Maresca to control him as remote with wrong decisions making 😡🥵
Zokdklmn
0
This coach shall fail, because of many wrong and unfair decisions
Zitcemtuz
0
Mukaeilsuy
0
Chelsea have a problem this season
Ponadempy
0
he does what the owners tell him to do
they hate Chelsea trust me
bamadiloty
2
Maresca came to destroy Chelsea just like 7 Hag came to destroy Man U
daniloski
3
he does what the owners tell him to do
ceoaeruyz
3
Everything about Chelsea is news,when it comes to other clubs no longer news .When Sacho was maltreated in Manchester no one is saying anything
Mudadlprs
0
this coach will not last for 10 matches I bet you 😶😶😶
he is arrogant and incompetent
MUBARAKABDULRAHIM
2
this coach will not last for 10 matches I bet you 😶😶😶
Tunaimpsuz
1
Fuck Meresca oh how the hell would you treat our players like that?