'Better for them to leave' - Enzo Maresca sends 'honest' message to Raheem Sterling AND Ben Chilwell amid 'impossible' Chelsea situation

Sterling and Chilwell will both try to find new clubs before the transfer window closes after being told by Maresca that they won't receive the minutes they want at Stamford Bridge. Both senior players are training away from the first team and were left out of the squad for Sunday's game against Manchester City, a clear sign of their current standing at the club.

Maresca was speaking to the press ahead of Thursday's Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Servette when he admitted that his "big squad" makes it "impossible" for Sterling and Chilwell to feature. Joao Felix's return to west London leaves a string of players competing for places in attack, including Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk and fellow summer signing Pedro Neto. Meanwhile at left-back, Marc Cucurella and Renato Veiga are ahead of Chilwell in the pecking order.

Maresca said: "[Sterling and Chilwell] are training apart. The situation with both of them is quite clear. We have a big squad and it's impossible to give all of them minutes. If they are looking for minutes it's better for them to leave. I try to be honest. I spoke with Raheem before the Manchester City game. I said he will struggle to get minutes with us and this was the reason why he was out. And with Chilly, he's lovely guy, but I said he is going to struggle with his position. It's not brutal, it's just honest."

The 44-year-old added: "I am not saying Raheem is not a good player, but I prefer different kinds of wingers."

Maresca also downplayed concerns about the size of his squad. "You like to say we have 42-43 players, but more than 15 players are apart from the team," he said. "I am working with about 25. It's not a mess like it looks from the outside."

The Blues will be gearing up for Thursday's European encounter, which is likely to feature a rotated line-up from the defeat to City. Meanwhile, Sterling and Chilwell are seeking for a resolution on their futures before the August 30 deadline.