Chelsea Players Training Separately as Club Aims to Sell Unwanted Stars
Chelsea is currently in the midst of a major transformation, with several players training separately as the club looks to offload them during this summer transfer window. While the majority of the squad is on holiday following their recent victory in the Club World Cup, a select group of players has already resumed training, signaling the club’s intent to find new homes for them.
The move comes as Chelsea prepares for a challenging season ahead, aiming to reclaim the Premier League title and make a strong return to the Champions League after a two-year absence. The club’s manager, Enzo Maresca, is working closely with the squad to ensure they are well-prepared for the upcoming campaign. However, some players have fallen out of favor and are now looking for opportunities elsewhere.
High-Profile Players in the Exit Queue
Among the players being considered for sale is Raheem Sterling, who has become one of the most high-profile names in the unwanted list. The England international was signed by Chelsea from Manchester City for a hefty fee but has struggled to make an impact since his arrival. His time at Arsenal last season, which was meant to revive his career, did not go as planned, and he failed to secure regular playing time under Mikel Arteta.
Sterling is now training separately alongside Ben Chilwell, Joao Felix, and Axel Disasi, all of whom are not part of Maresca’s long-term plans. The group has been training at Chelsea’s main base in Cobham while the rest of the team enjoys their well-earned break.
Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was also part of this group until his recent move to Bournemouth for a reported KSh 4.6 billion. This highlights the club’s willingness to make tough decisions in order to strengthen the squad.
Maresca’s Comments on Sterling
Maresca has been open about his concerns regarding Sterling’s future at the club. In a previous interview, he stated that the player would struggle to get minutes with Chelsea and that this was the primary reason he was left out of the squad. “I spoke with Raheem one-on-one the day before City, and I explained to him exactly the situation. I try to be honest,” Maresca said. “I can repeat if it’s not clear. I said he is going to struggle to get minutes with us, and this is the reason why he is out of the squad.”
Sterling currently earns approximately KSh 60 million per week, and Chelsea is hoping to recoup half of the KSh 8.8 billion they paid to sign him from Manchester City.
Other Potential Departures
In addition to Sterling, other players from the Club World Cup squad could also be looking for new opportunities. Noni Madueke has already completed a move to Arsenal, having made five appearances during the tournament. Nicolas Jackson, meanwhile, has been linked with a potential exit, with Manchester United reportedly showing interest in the striker.
Jackson will need to fight for his place in the starting lineup, especially with the arrivals of Liam Delap and João Pedro. Journalist Nizaar Kinsella noted that while the deal is still a long shot, Chelsea’s interest in Alejandro Garnacho could play a role in any potential move.
Christopher Nkunku is another player who could leave the club. The French forward has struggled with injuries and has found himself behind Cole Palmer in the pecking order. Manchester United had previously shown interest in his services, and there may be further developments in the coming weeks.
Possible Restrictions on New Signings
In a separate development, there are concerns that some of Chelsea’s new signings could be banned from the Champions League next season if they are not registered properly. The club recently faced financial penalties from UEFA for breaches of financial regulations and must meet certain conditions before registering new players.
However, with the recent success in the Club World Cup and the sale of Noni Madueke to Arsenal, Chelsea is expected to meet these requirements and be in a position to register new signings without any issues.
