An interview with Raheem Sterling that was posted on Chelsea's website this week makes for interesting reading after he was dropped for their clash against Man City.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was forced to make a number of tough decisions in regards to team selection ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge.
With an oversized squad of 43 players, a handful of high-profile players missed out on making their matchday squad, including Romelu Lukaku, Conor Gallagher and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Advert
And one of the biggest omissions was Raheem Sterling, who featured in all six of their pre-season games.
In fact, the former England international was deemed “one of our most important players” by new head coach Maresca during their pre-season campaign but still missed out.
Shortly after the team news was released on Sunday afternoon, Sterling's camp released a strongly-worded statement via the Daily Mail.
Advert
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.
"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."
Advert
Ahead of this weekend's game against his former club, Sterling touched on a number of subjects in an interview with Chelsea's in-house media channel as he opened up on being "really dedicated" to the club.
As well as speaking about his influence in the dressing room, the 29-year-old said the 'detail and direction' of Maresca’s coaching methods will benefit the squad.
Advert
He added: "The manager wants the midfielders to get the ball to you in the right positions so you can make the difference.
"As a forward, there is no better thing to hear than that. Being high and wide is a position I’ve played pretty much all my career. It’s definitely a position I enjoy."
Sterling also spoke about his ambition to lift silverware in the coming months. "I’m pushing and working to achieve that, and to get Chelsea where they deserve to be," he continued.
"There are times when you win every year and times when you don’t win trophies. This football club more than not has been winning trophies. That’s the standards of Chelsea Football Club.
Advert
"We as a group are really determined to get back to those winning ways, and getting that exciting feeling of challenging for stuff and winning stuff back for the fans."
He added: "It’s a football club I am really dedicated to now, to try and win trophies and replicate some of the successes I have had in the past."
Topics: Chelsea, Raheem Sterling, Premier League, Manchester City
Jack Kenmare