England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are training apart from Chelsea’s first team, manager Enzo Maresca said on Wednesday as British media reports linked them with moves away from the Premier League club.
Sterling and Chilwell, who missed Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League loss to champions Manchester City, may struggle to get playing time if they choose to remain at Chelsea, Maresca said.
“In this moment, they are training apart,” Maresca told reporters ahead of Thursday’s Europa Conference League playoff tie against Swiss side Servette.
“We have a big squad, for me it’s impossible to give everyone minutes. So if they’re looking for minutes, probably it is better to leave.”
Maresca said Sterling, who has played 59 league games for Chelsea since joining in 2022, was not the kind of winger he wanted.
“I’m not saying he’s not a good player, but I prefer different kinds of wingers.
“I spoke with Raheem before Manchester City, I said that he is going to struggle to get minutes with us. With (Chilwell), I said he is a lovely guy but with his position, he’s going to struggle with us. It’s not brutal, it’s honest.
“It’s not a comfortable situation… I think it is good to know that if you want to stay, you will struggle to get minutes… but in a few days or weeks it can be a better situation because you move and you join a club where you will get more minutes,” he added.
The manager said he did not meet Sterling after the match against City.
“In case I sit with Raheem I will tell him exactly the same things that I already told him,” he said.
Maresca said Captain Reece James will miss Thursday’s match due to a hamstring injury.
“We try to win every game we play. Against Man City, I don’t think the intention was to win the game, but we tried to win that game… and tomorrow is a game, that we will try to win, and hopefully we can win,” he added.
Gallagher switches from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid
Meanwhile, England midfielder Conor Gallagher has completed his move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge, has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish outfit after the clubs agreed a reported €40 million ($43.7 million) fee.
Gallagher’s future had been the subject of speculation for some time as he entered the final year of his contract and with it unclear how he fitted into new manager Enzo Maresca’s plans.
A statement from Atletico read: “Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have reached an agreement for the transfer of Conor Gallagher, who has signed for the club until 2029.”
Gallagher had been a regular in the Chelsea side over the past two seasons after loan spells at Charlton, Swansea, West Brom and Crystal Palace earlier in his career.
He made 95 appearances for the Blues, scoring 10 goals, and also captained the side on a number of occasions last season.
He was also part of the England squad which reached the final of Euro 2024 this summer.
A post from Chelsea on X read: “Thank you, and good luck, Conor.”
Gallagher sent a departing message to the Blues on Instagram.
“To everyone at Chelsea, thank you for making my dreams come true. It’s been an absolute honour every time I put on the shirt, and it was a dream come true to captain the team on many occasions,” he said.
“I loved every moment. These memories will last forever. I appreciate all the love and support from the fans.
“Hearing the chant of my name at the Bridge is a special feeling, and the banner you displayed meant the world to me.
“Thank you for everything. I wish the club all the best for the future, and I hope to see you all soon at Stamford Bridge.