Todd Boehly & Chelsea bosses warned Raheem Sterling is 'punching back on behalf of Conor Gallagher & Trevoh Chalobah' after controversial statement

Several Chelsea first-team players have been banished from the playing squad in recent weeks, including Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah. While Gallagher is likely to move out and join Atletico Madrid, Chalobah is not currently in line for an exit and may be in for a season of limited action.

On Sunday, ahead of the Blues' season opener against reigning champions Manchester City, Sterling was dropped from the matchday squad, which prompted his representatives to come up with a statement questioning the club's decision.

Former Red Devils and Three Lions defender Neville thinks Sterling's statement was also a response to Todd Boehly and the Chelsea ownership regime's treatment of homegrown players.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: "What I would say is, for Raheem, who I think is a really good lad, I love him to bits like [Jamie] Carragher said. I've worked with him for a long time and he's experienced now. I think if he's looking at everything that's happening behind the scenes there for him to do what he did yesterday, he must be seeing stuff that he doesn't like and feels like he needs to punch back.

"He might not be punching back on behalf of himself, but he may be punching back on behalf of [Conor] Gallagher. He may be punching back on behalf of [Trevoh] Chalobah, who's with the development squad."

The Enzo Maresca era got off to a poor start as they went down 2-0 against City in their season opener at Stamford Bridge. They will next face Servette in a Europa Conference League play-offs first-leg clash on Thursday.