Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has explained exactly why there is no longer a place for Raheem Sterling at Stamford Bridge, while the Blues also remain linked with Jadon Sancho.

Sterling has been, in no uncertain terms, pushed to the fringes at Chelsea this season. He hasn’t been selected for any of their games so far and is part of the sizeable group of players training away from the main group while they wait for a transfer.

Speaking at a press conference two days before the summer window closes, Maresca, who worked with Sterling at Manchester City, has stressed it isn’t personal and is down to tactical preference.

“I said already many times, he is a fantastic person. The only thing is that every manager has a different idea. He is not the type of winger I like. That says nothing about Raheem. The history and the numbers speak for Raheem,” the Chelsea boss said.

Sterling has been heavily linked with Manchester United in the last couple of days, which has come as a surprise. But there could be room for the former Liverpool winger in Erik ten Hag’s squad should Jadon Sancho depart. The 24-year-old is the subject of interest from Chelsea, but a report on Wednesday also claimed United have agreed a loan with Juventus.

On Sancho, Maresca refused to give much comment: “If we can sign a player that can help us, for sure I would. Jadon is not our player. I know him very well. But he is not our player.”

Chelsea also remain interested in signing a striker before the transfer deadline to boost depth and competition. As it stands, 18-year-old Marc Guiu is the only option beyond Nicolas Jackson, who Maresca insists won’t be pushed aside should the club bring in another number nine.

“I didn’t speak to Nicolas about this,” the boss explained. “I had a meeting with Nicolas yesterday but just about the amount of good things he is doing with us. I don’t think Nicolas needs a chat. He is our nine, our striker in this moment. We are very happy with him.”

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