Chelsea Q&A: Raheem Sterling, Victor Osimhen, Enzo Fernandez latest and more

Kaveh Solhekol from Sky Sports News provides insights into the important issues surrounding both the on-field and off-field controversies at Chelsea.

The Blues began their Premier League season with a loss to Man City, and it was overshadowed by forward Raheem Sterling releasing a statement after not being included in the team for the match.

During a hectic summer for the new manager Enzo Maresca, Kaveh Solhekol, the chief reporter for Sky Sports News, delves into the stories surrounding some of the major concerns.

Will Raheem Sterling Leave Chelsea Soon?

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Chelsea is open to receiving offers for him. He is earning a high salary compared to the new players they are signing and it seems like Chelsea is interested in letting him go. Maybe they would consider a loan deal as a way to reduce the financial burden.

However, he mentioned in his statement that he still has three years left on his contract and it is his prerogative to remain with the team and compete for a spot. Nonetheless, on Sunday, there were five players designated as wide players in the squad, and he was not included among them.

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Enzo Maresca talked to him last Friday and told him he wouldn't be part of the team for technical reasons. It seems like they are hinting that his time at the club may be coming to an end.

I believe Sterling has been informed that there are many players who play the same position as him on the team. It is likely that more players in his position will be signed in the future. Given his level of skill and experience, the message seems to be that it is time for him to consider exploring other opportunities.

I don't believe he is the type of person who would threaten to go on strike or act in a childish manner. Rather, he simply stated, "There are only two weeks left until the window closes. You're not giving me enough time."

He is seeking some communication or understanding, and if he is going to leave Chelsea, it seems increasingly probable that he will not play for Chelsea again. In that case, let's discuss the situation and find a solution that works for everyone involved.

Has Ben Chilwell's Time At Chelsea Come To An End?

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Chelsea has been careful with their handling of Chilwell, but it seems Maresca doesn't believe he fits well with his playing style. Despite being sick last week, Chilwell is still participating in training with the main team.

However, similar to Sterling, he also has a high salary. The owners received a team with several high-earning players, and their main goal has been to reduce the overall wages being paid.

Currently, the typical salary is around £70,000 per week (including hefty bonuses and rewards). However, the high-earning individuals are under scrutiny. Kepa Arrizabalaga, in particular, is a significant earner - what lies ahead for him following his unsuccessful loan spell at Real Madrid?

Will Conor Gallagher Stay Or Go?

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Chelsea is expecting him to leave. They gave him some time off because his move to Atletico Madrid didn't happen, so he had to restart his pre-season training. It's worth noting that he wasn't included in the club's matchday program for the Man City game.

Nevertheless, his fate relies on the outcome of Joao Felix potentially moving from Atletico to his team. Atletico has invested heavily in Man City's Julian Alvarez and must offload Joao Felix.

Are Owners Hurting Fanbase By Selling Players Like Gallagher?

The supporters are big fans of Gallagher. He led the team in many games last year and the fans showed their appreciation by chanting his name when Haaland scored the first goal for Man City.

Trevoh Chalobah, another player who came up through the academy, was not included on the matchday program. Armando Broja, who looks likely to be loaned to Ipswich, was also missing from the list. Romelu Lukaku's status will be discussed further below.

According to the owners, they purchased a struggling club and found that the situation was even worse than they anticipated. Chelsea had been penalized by the authorities and were considered to be lagging behind teams like Man City, Liverpool, and Arsenal. They believed they needed to start over completely and have replaced nearly everyone - from recruitment teams to medical staff to groundskeepers. The speed of transformation is alarming.

Many Chelsea supporters may argue that things weren't as terrible as they seem. With an excellent manager in Thomas Tuchel, Champions League victory, and Club World Cup success just months prior to the new owners taking over, some fans feel that drastic changes were unnecessary. However, others believe that the heart and identity of the club have been lost in the rapid transformation, leaving them disconnected from the current starting lineup.

The owners may argue that it will require some time. However, now is the time to evaluate the owners. They have established the framework, hired the head coach, determined the style of play, and assembled the squad they desire. There are no more justifications.

Was Enzo Fernandez Made Captain Too Soon?

It was an unusual choice that has led to negative publicity and sparked further debate. He is currently being looked into by FIFA for his actions in that situation.

Maresca admitted to an error, but acknowledged that it wasn't just a simple mistake - he must face consequences. It would have stirred up debate to even let him play, but appointing him as captain? Reece James holds the title of club captain, though he is currently sidelined with an injury. Maresca failed to confirm if James would keep his captaincy during pre-season, instead referring to him as "one of the captains."

In comparison to Fernandez from Sunday, we witnessed Mateo Kovacic score the deciding goal for Man City. He is a midfielder who was previously sold by Chelsea for £25m, managing to navigate through a midfield that was assembled for over £200m.

There are many young players on the Chelsea team, but who are the role models and guides for them?

Will The Romelu Lukaku/Victor Osimhen Trade With Napoli Happen?

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Napoli is in need of Lukaku, while Chelsea is in need of Osimhen - it is very likely that these transfers will take place.

Osimhen could really lift the spirits at Chelsea. He's the player that Chelsea fans are dreaming of. With his charisma, skill, and impact, he could fill a void similar to Didier Drogba or Diego Costa. He's a top-notch player. However, the sticking point is his salary.

Napoli doesn't have enough money to keep him. They offered him a new deal but he earns a lot of money. He didn't play in their loss to Verona on Sunday and is now practicing separately from the main team. PSG is also interested, but Chelsea is aware that Napoli is interested in Lukaku.

Chelsea does not want to pay an excessive amount, but they will not be offering him a weekly salary of £300,000.

Chelsea has been offered a bid from Napoli for Lukaku. They are discussing a loan deal that would eventually lead to a permanent purchase. The deal is valued at £25.5m (€30m), which includes the cost of the loan.

Chelsea is determined to secure a long-term agreement, but the current proposal is lacking in two key areas: the total value and the structure as a loan with an added obligation are not meeting Chelsea's expectations.

This agreement appears likely to be finalized, but probably closer to the deadline day.

This is the perfect time to assess the condition of the Chelsea team: once the transfer window has ended, the players they no longer want have left, and the new additions have either joined or not.