Enzo Maresca had the coldest response to dropping Raheem Sterling from Chelsea squad following shock statement

Enzo Maresca has issued a brutal response after dropping Raheem Sterling for the crucial match against Manchester City.

Chelsea will get their Premier League season underway on Sunday afternoon as they welcome champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge.

Forward Sterling was left out of the squad by Maresca, leading to the former City winger issuing a statement asking for clarification about his future.

And now the new Chelsea boss has issued a response to dropping Sterling, and he has not held back.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Maresca said: “It’s just a technical decision, nothing else to say.

“Managers are paid to make decisions and sometimes players don’t like it”.

Sterling was a shock exclusion from the Chelsea squad having scored in both Premier League meetings between the two clubs last season.

The 29-year-old featured in all six of Chelsea's pre-season matches and was labelled an "important player" by Maresca during the build-up to the 2024/25 season.

Therefore, minutes after the team sheets for the match with Manchester City were announced with Sterling absent, a statement from the player's management team was published in the Daily Mail.

It read: "Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years. He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with.

"He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.

Raheem Sterling has made 81 appearances since joining Chelsea from City on a five year deal in the summer of 2022. (Image: Getty)

"As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.

"Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively."

Sterling has made 81 appearances since joining Chelsea from City on a five year deal in the summer of 2022, with the fee reported to be £50million.