Raheem Sterling Among NINE Brutally Omitted Chelsea Players as Blues Attempt Summer Clear-Out

Chelsea Omit Sterling from First-Team Squad on Website Ahead of 2025–26 Campaign

In a move that sent ripples through the Chelsea fanbase—and likely raised a few eyebrows across the Premier League—Raheem Sterling has been left out of Chelsea’s official first-team squad list for the upcoming 2025–26 season. The England international headlines a group of nine players excluded from the 31-man roster published on the club’s official website, fuelling speculation that a summer exit is not just likely, but imminent.

Once a marquee signing and one of the most experienced attackers at the club, Sterling now finds himself in what many fans are calling Chelsea’s “bomb squad”—a harsh term, perhaps, but one that reflects the unforgiving nature of top-level football.

What Happened to Sterling?

Just two years ago, Sterling made headlines with a high-profile switch from Manchester City to Chelsea. It was a deal meant to bring leadership, experience, and attacking flair to a youthful Blues side. Fast forward to now, and the former Liverpool winger is being actively shopped around by the West London outfit.

After a disappointing loan spell at Arsenal last season, Sterling returned to Stamford Bridge with his future still in limbo. While the Gunners had hoped he might inject some creativity during their push for silverware, the 30-year-old never quite settled under Mikel Arteta. One goal, two assists, and a string of inconsistent performances later, Arsenal passed up the chance to make the move permanent.

Now back at Chelsea, it seems the door has been firmly closed on a second chance.

The Brutal Nine: Who Else Was Left Out?

Sterling isn’t alone in being sidelined. Eight other players—some established names, others rising prospects—have also been omitted from the squad list for the upcoming campaign. Here’s the full rundown:

• Raheem Sterling

• Ben Chilwell

• Axel Disasi

• Renato Veiga

• Alfie Gilchrist

• Carney Chukwuemeka

• Lesley Ugochukwu

• Armando Broja

• David Datro Fofana

While the likes of Chilwell and Disasi may come as slight surprises due to their previous involvement, the overall message is clear: Chelsea are clearing house. Whether due to tactical mismatches, injury records, or simple financial reasoning, these players are now very much on the market.

The Bigger Picture: Maresca’s Ruthless Start

Ben Chilwell Raheem Sterling Chelsea

New head coach Enzo Maresca is not wasting time making his mark. After arriving from Leicester City, where he led the Foxes to Championship glory, the Italian tactician has been tasked with trimming a bloated squad and building a team in his image.

Maresca, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, is known for his structured systems, high pressing, and technical control. It’s a style that requires complete buy-in and razor-sharp discipline. It seems that Sterling and others didn’t quite fit into that tactical puzzle.

This ruthless approach might seem cold, especially to fans still holding sentimental attachments to players like Chilwell and Broja. But for a club still navigating the turbulent waters of post-Abramovich transition, this could be exactly what’s needed.

Where Could Sterling Go Next?

Despite being excluded from Chelsea’s plans, Raheem Sterling is not short of suitors. According to reports, clubs such as Napoli, Fulham, and Bayer Leverkusen have shown interest.

Each destination comes with its own unique appeal:

• Napoli could offer Champions League football and a chance to reboot his career in a new environment—something many English players have embraced in Italy recently.

• Fulham provides the opportunity to remain in London, closer to family, with a leadership role almost guaranteed.

• Leverkusen, fresh off an impressive Bundesliga campaign under Xabi Alonso, present perhaps the most exciting footballing project among the trio.

The question is whether Sterling will agree to a pay cut. On a salary rumoured to exceed £300,000 per week, finding a club that can match his wages—and Chelsea’s valuation—won’t be easy.

Meanwhile, Who Made the Cut?

While the exclusion list made headlines, the actual 31-man squad named by Chelsea was equally telling. New signings like Jorrel Hato, brought in from Ajax, made the cut, signaling that Chelsea’s youth-first policy under sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley is alive and well.

Other inclusions like Christopher Nkunku, who has been linked with a late-window move himself, suggest that the club still sees value in some underperforming stars. Whether that means they stay or get moved later in the window remains to be seen.

It’s also worth noting that several academy graduates, including a few with minimal senior experience, have been promoted—possibly to fill squad gaps, or perhaps to be showcased for loan or sale opportunities.

Did You Know?

Despite not being in Maresca’s plans, Raheem Sterling has made over 120 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions and contributed 29 goals and 14 assists since his arrival. Yet, those numbers have not been enough to save him from this summer’s cull.

His omission might come as a shock to casual observers, but those watching closely will know his form has fluctuated, particularly in high-pressure matches. Maresca’s system demands more than reputation—it demands execution, consistency, and the ability to press at full throttle for 90 minutes.

What’s Next for Chelsea?

Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference – FIFA Club World Cup 2025

With the Premier League kickoff scheduled for August 17 against Crystal Palace, Chelsea still have business to complete—on and off the pitch. Before then, they’ll host pre-season friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, giving fans a first look at the “new-look” Blues.

But don’t expect the transfer activity to stop anytime soon. Sterling is likely just one of several players who will exit before the window shuts. It’s very possible that the squad we see against Palace will be significantly different from the one currently listed.

For Chelsea fans, this is both exciting and nerve-wracking. The club is clearly entering a new phase, one where past glories are irrelevant and only future potential matters.

Final Thoughts: A New Chapter at Stamford Bridge

The decision to omit Raheem Sterling and eight others from Chelsea’s first-team roster may appear brutal on the surface, but in the context of modern football, it’s not unusual. What’s different is the public nature of it—publishing the squad online, making it clear who’s in and who’s out, leaves little room for ambiguity.

For Sterling, it’s a tough blow. A player once at the heart of England’s national team, he now faces a crossroads in his career. But he’s only 30, and his résumé speaks volumes. He still has the quality to shine elsewhere—just perhaps not under Maresca’s Chelsea.

As the Blues gear up for the 2025–26 season, one thing is certain: sentiment has no place in the Maresca era. It’s all about performance, fit, and the future.

And for better or worse, that future no longer includes Raheem Sterling.