Chelsea: Raheem Sterling among four players left out for Conference League Match

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Raheem Sterling has been excluded from Chelsea's squad for their Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Servette.

This marks the second consecutive match that the 29-year-old England forward has missed, following his absence from Chelsea's Premier League opener against Manchester City.

Sterling's representatives issued a statement before Sunday's defeat by City, expressing their desire for "clarity" regarding the player's future at the club. Despite this uncertainty, manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his wish to keep Sterling at Chelsea.

"I want Raheem here," Maresca stated after the City game. However, he also acknowledged the challenge of accommodating all his players, saying, "there is not enough space" for everyone to participate in matches.

This summer, Chelsea have invested approximately £185 million on 11 new signings. This spending spree has resulted in a squad of over 40 senior players, complicating selection decisions for Maresca.

Should Chelsea advance past Servette, they could potentially include Sterling in their squad for the Conference League group stage. This would provide an opportunity for Sterling to re-establish his role within the team.

Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in July 2022 for a fee of £50 million. Since then, he has made 81 appearances for the club. His experience and skill have been valuable assets to the team during his tenure.

The situation surrounding Sterling highlights the complexities of managing a large squad with numerous high-profile players.

Defenders Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, and Tosin Adarabioyo were also not listed on Chelsea's A-list submitted to UEFA for Thursday's match at Stamford Bridge. The return leg will take place in Switzerland on 29 August.

As Chelsea navigate their European campaign and domestic competitions, decisions regarding player inclusion will be crucial.