Not a mess”: Maresca defends Sterling decision and Chelsea transfers

After news broke that Raheem Sterling is being forced out of Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca hit out at the media. The Chelsea boss insists things are not a “mess,” despite the Blues having over 40 first team players in their squad.  

“Not a mess” 

Chelsea have been criticised all transfer window for the number of players they have under contract. The club really came under fire this week after Sky Sports published a report breaking down the contracts of all 43 Chelsea first-team players.  
 
The report showed that Chelsea players have a combined 191 years left on their contracts. That’s almost twice as many years as the second highest ranking club, Tottenham, who have committed to paying their players for a combined 97 years. 
 
Maresca was asked about the situation at his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea vs. Wolves this weekend. He was quick to dismiss the criticism and defended his club’s transfer decisions. Maresca also hit out at the media for overstating the number of players he has to work with every day.  
 
“I am not working with 42 players. That is something from outside,” he explained, “I'm working in this moment with 21 players. 
 
“Today's session is with 20 players, yesterday's session was with 21. So they other 15 or 20, they are training apart… 
 
“(Are there) 42, 43 Chelsea players? Yes, for sure, but they are not working with me every day. I don't see them. So it is not a mess like it looks from outside, absolutely not.” 

Sterling, Chilwell, and others forced out 

Maresca’s comments were supposed to downplay the issue of Chelsea having so many players. It has done the opposite.  
 
By revealing that 15-20 players are training separate from the first team squad, Maresca showed just how surreal the situation at Chelsea is this season. No other club has so many players not participating in training every day.  
 
Chelsea have started to realise this and are looking to move at least half a dozen players before the end of the transfer window.  
 
Raheem Sterling is reportedly training from home as he looks for a move away. Left back Ben Chilwell has also been told that he does not have a future with the club.  
 
Chelsea are also trying to get rid of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Tino Anjorin, Armando Broja, David Datro Fofana, Ângelo Gabriel, Trevoh Chalobah, and, of course, Romelu Lukaku. 

Chelsea expected XI versus Wolves 

When you bet on soccer, knowing who is going to play is paramount. Injuries, suspensions, and managerial tactical decisions can massively change the betting odds.  
 
Some clubs–like Arsenal–have their starting lineups practically written in stone. Others–like Chelsea–are almost impossible to predict.  
 
Even though it is a tough task, our sports betting experts have given it a go. Chelsea, coming off a midweek fixture against Servette in the Conference League and after signing Joao Felix, could roll out a totally changed lineup from last week. We think Maresca will keep it simple though.  

Conclusion 

Our EPL predictions have expect the Italian to roll out this lineup against Wolves on Sunday: 
 
Chelsea Expected XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Nkunku; Jackson