Stuck
Raheem Sterling needs a way out. But who can afford it? Plus, Everton's tricky Calvert-Lewin situation.
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By Patric Ridge
Raheem Sterling is stuck.
A week ago, the winger seemingly believed he was destined to play a key role for Enzo Maresca at Chelsea this season.
He had appeared in all six of the Blues pre-season games and finished as their third-highest goalscorer last term.
Yet on Sunday, he was left out of Maresca’s squad for Chelsea’s opening game of the season, against Sterling’s former club Manchester City.
Sterling’s camp released a statement prior to kick-off in what turned out to be a 2-0 loss for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, stating they were chasing “clarity” on their client’s future at the club.
On Wednesday, Maresca confirmed Sterling — along with Ben Chilwell — were free to leave the club and were training away from the squad. Simultaneously, Chelsea revealed new signing Pedro Neto had taken Sterling’s number seven shirt.
It is an unseemly chapter for Sterling, who is now eager to leave Chelsea just two years on from his big-money move from Man City. In the intervening time, the 29-year-old has lost his best form and his England place.
But with Sterling having three years left on a £325,000 per-week deal, just how can the situation be resolved?
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