Paul Merson: Raheem Sterling Chelsea Situation ‘Really Strange’, Hopes Enzo Maresca Is Doing Things His Own Way

Paul Merson has had his say on the situation at Chelsea involving Raheem Sterling, who was left out of Enzo Maresca’s squad for the club’s opening Premier League game.

Sterling claimed he wanted “clarity” from the club, after he was left out of Chelsea’s squad in the defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League opener.

The former Liverpool forward is the highest paid player at the club, earning £300,000 a week at Stamford Bridge.

However, new manager Maresca has made it clear Sterling is not wanted at the club, insisting the 29-year-old is being sold for footballing reasons.

New signing Pedro Neto has even taken the number 7 shirt which was held by Sterling since joining from Man City in 2022.

Paul Merson Comments On Sterling Situation At Chelsea

Chelsea fan and former Arsenal forward Paul Merson has had his say on the developing situation involving Sterling.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Merson said, “It’s very rare you get rid of players better than you’ve already got, and Raheem comes under that. He’s better than some of the wingers at Chelsea, there’s no doubt about that.

He continued, “He wants honesty, and he’s got the honesty. But I just find it really strange, I really do.

“I hope the manager’s not being dictated from above and he’s (not) saying what they want him to say, because when you’re a manager of a big football club like Chelsea, who want to win things, you’ve got to do it your way.

“The last thing you want to do is come away from Chelsea, after however long it will be, you don’t want to sit there and wish, ‘I should’ve done this, and I shouldn’t have done that’, and it’s not good start so far if I’m being honest.”

Merson continued to talk about the wider picture at Chelsea, saying, “It’s hard because it’s like a soap opera, and we’re all on the outside looking in, but it doesn’t look good.

“Pochettino’s walked away from a big football club. He’s come in and in the end he can’t really wait to get out of Chelsea. So something’s not right.

“And it might’ve been down to the Conor Gallagher situation, who’s his captain and he’s playing every week, and all of a sudden he’s got to get rid of them.

“So it’s not good at the moment. There’s a lot going on at Chelsea and I think the manager’s got to hit the ground running because if he doesn’t, fans will soon get upset.”

Sterling, Chilwell, Chalobah And More Set To Leave

Sterling is not the only senior playing on the chopping block for Chelsea. Maresca has exiled 15-20 players from first-team training, including the likes of Ben Chilwell and Trevor Chalobah.

Despite this, the club have shown little sign of slowing down in the transfer market, having spent over £200 million this summer, including their newest £45 million signing João Felix.