With just two weeks remaining of the transfer window, Chelsea are running out of time to thin their bloated squad.
The Blues have been on a transfer rampage this summer, signing nine new players at a cost of over £160million.
Enzo Maresca now has over 40 players all fighting for a spot in his matchday squad – and Chelsea have already seen a negative impact from their overcrowded dressing room.
Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in their Premier League opener, but before a ball was even kicked Raheem Sterling made headlines for his reaction to being left out of the matchday squad.
Sterling published a statement stating the player and his camp “look forward to gaining clarity on the situation” after they were left shocked by his lack of involvement.
The statement was branded “ridiculous” by Jamie Carragher and HITC revealed that Sterling has an offer from the Saudi Pro League and he is now considering his options.
Ally McCoist responds to Raheem Sterling question
It would be incredibly hard for Sterling to turn things around and stay at Chelsea after his statement on Sunday.
He was hailed as “brilliant” by now-departing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, who added that Sterling was a great role model and leader for the younger players at the club.
But there is now a feeling of inevitability that Sterling will leave this summer, and his unrest at Stamford Bridge could see other clubs pursue a deal.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jeff Stelling asked co-host Ally McCoist whether he could see Sterling joining Celtic to reunite with former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
“Brendan knows him, but I think he’d see it as a step down,” McCoist said. “I don’t think so – I think if he’s leaving the country, he’s going to Saudi Arabia.”
Rodgers was appointed Liverpool manager in 2012, the same year Sterling made his first-team breakthrough at Anfield.
The Celtic boss spent three years with Sterling on Merseyside before leaving in 2015. Sterling also left the Reds that year to join Manchester City.
READ MORE: Michael Owen issues brutal reaction to Raheem Sterling’s statement after Chelsea omission
While a fairytale reunion for Rodgers and Sterling will excite Celtic fans, Sterling would have to take a staggering wage cut to join the Glasgow giants.
He is considered one of the top earners at Stamford Bridge and when a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia is on the table it’s hard to see Sterling turning it down to instead drop his salary.
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