Two Chelsea stars LOSE their squad numbers to summer signings Pedro Neto and Joao Felix… as boss Enzo Maresca’s ruthless streak continues with more than 10 players training away from the first-team

Two Chelsea players have lost their squad numbers to accommodate the club’s new signings Pedro Neto and Joao Felix.

The Blues have been in the midst of a chaotic transfer window this summer, with Enzo Maresca overseeing the arrival of ten senior players.

The latest of those, was confirmed on Wednesday with Joao Felix arriving from Atletico Madrid in a £42.7m deal, having previously spending time at the club on loan.

With so many arrivals congesting an already bloated squad, the Blues appear to have alienated senior several players that have yet to leave the club.

Based on the club’s official website, it appears that both Raheem Sterling and Trevoh Chalobah have lost their squad numbers to Neto and Felix respectively.

Raheem Sterling has worn the No 7 shirt since joining the Blues from Manchester City in 2022

But the club’s official webstore now has the Portuguese listed under the number

Neto wore the No 19 shirt for his competitive debut against Manchester City on Sunday but now looks set for a change. 

Sterling initially wore the No 17 shirt for the Blues after joining the club from Manchester City in 2022 before switching to 7 last season.

However, when selecting a customised shirt from the club’s online megastore the number now appears to belong to former Wolves star.

The news comes as the latest blow to Sterling’s future at Stamford Bridge after the player’s representatives revealed exclusively in a statement to Mail Sport that they were ‘seeking clarity’ regarding his standing at the club after he was left out of the opener.

More than 10 senior players are currently training away from the Chelsea first-team with Maresca making clear that he has been honest with players about their situation at the club.

I try to be honest. I can repeat again if it’s not clear: I spoke with Raheem before the (Manchester) City game.’ Maresca said at a press conference on Wednesday. 

‘I said he is going to struggle to get minutes with us. With Chilly, I said he is a lovely guy, but he is going to struggle because of his position. 

‘If you define this as “brutal”, it is up to you to decide. For me, it’s not brutal, it’s just honest. 

Joao Felix became the latest new arrival when his £42.7m move was confirmed on Wednesday

Based on the website listing Felix is set to take over Trevoh Chalobah’s No 14 shirt

‘I’m not saying Raheem is not a good player but I prefer different kinds of wingers. This is the reason why.’ 

Meanwhile, as an academy graduate who joined the club aged 8, Chalobah is currently one of Chelsea’s longest-serving players.

The 25-year-old was left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the US and, like Sterling and others, has been banished from the first-team dressing room.