By Raheem Sterling found himself at the center of controversy after being left out of Chelsea’s squad for their season opener against Manchester City. Just before kick-off, Sterling’s representatives released a statement seeking “further clarity” on his future with the club, a move that drew sharp criticism from Sky Sports’ Super Sunday pundits Jamie Redknapp, Micah Richards, and Daniel Sturridge.
Sterling’s camp expressed surprise at his exclusion, highlighting that he had returned to England two weeks early for individual training and had a positive pre-season under Chelsea’s new coach. The statement emphasized Sterling’s commitment to the club and his expectation to be involved in the match, given his inclusion in Chelsea’s pre-match materials.
However, the timing and content of the statement did not sit well with the pundits. Jamie Redknapp dismissed the need for such a public declaration, urging Sterling to focus on improving his performance instead. He criticized the decision to release the statement on the day of the game, calling it “rubbish” and suggesting that Sterling should simply work harder in training to regain his place in the team.
Micah Richards echoed these sentiments, arguing that Sterling and his team knew the impact the statement would have, and that it only added unnecessary noise around the club. He felt that the move was detrimental to both Sterling’s chances of getting back into the squad and his relationship with his teammates.
Daniel Sturridge also questioned the timing of the statement, acknowledging that while Sterling might feel he deserved to be part of the squad, publicly airing grievances on the day of the match was not the right approach. Sturridge believes that Sterling’s ability warrants a place in the Chelsea squad, but the method of addressing his exclusion was poorly handled.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, speaking after the match, maintained that Sterling’s omission was purely a tactical decision, emphasizing the challenges of selecting a squad when there are numerous talented players. Maresca hinted that the situation would be clarified in the coming days.
Overall, the pundits were united in their criticism, suggesting that Sterling’s camp had let both him and his teammates down by releasing the statement in such a public and ill-timed manner.
