Chelsea hierarchy left with red faces as club launches new sponsorship campaign with Raheem Sterling prominently featured… just hours after being dropped for Man City clash

Raheem Sterling has been shown featuring prominently in a Chelsea sponsorship campaign just hours after being dropped for the club’s opening game of the season.

Sterling wasn’t included in Chelsea’s matchday squad for their 2-0 defeat at home to his former club Manchester City.

However, Chelsea included Sterling in their advertising campaign for their new principal partner Fever. Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea Women star Millie Bright were also pictured.

Fever, a technology platform for entertainment discovery, will have its logo on the sleeve of Chelsea’s shirts. 

As exclusively revealed by Mail Sport, the winger’s camp issued a statement prior to the game seeking clarity on the situation.

Sterling was left out of Chelsea’s squad for their Premier League opener against Man City

The statement read: ‘Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years.

‘He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with.

‘He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.

‘As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.

‘Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively.’ 

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca explained that the choice to leave Sterling out was a ‘technical decision’.

Maresca said: ‘I want Raheem Sterling but we have 30 players, there is no space for all of them so some have to leave.

‘The manager has to make some decisions.

New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca stated that Sterling was left out due to a ‘technical decision’

Rio Ferdinand was heavily critical of Chelsea for the way they’ve handled Sterling’s situation

‘Sometimes players don’t like it, that’s normal. Just a technical decision, no more than that. With Raheem, we will clarify in the next days.’ 

Rio Ferdinand criticised Chelsea’s treatment of Sterling, describing it as ‘wild’ and hitting out at the lack of communication.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, he said:  ‘I see all the young players, especially in that squad, talk about Raheem, it’s like Uncle Raheem. Cole Palmer, the likes of Reece James, it’s Uncle Raheem.

‘And he’s looked after a lot of these boys, they come to him, so when you kick that guy in the changing room, all of them are going to limp at some point and they aren’t going to take it well and you create a problem in your own dressing room.

‘There’s nobody delivering that message with any clarity, and from what I’m hearing he (Sterling) has got no understanding of where his situation lies.

‘He hasn’t had anyone in the hierarchy come to him and say: “Listen, you’re surplus to requirements, we want to get rid of you.”

‘And what I’m hearing is that the last conversation that was had was like “everything is fine”.

‘I’m hearing they’re getting told (updates) by email and stuff like that. This is wild.’