“It didn’t seem to me Mateo Kovačić second goal was a fluke and a lucky goal he can’t score such again- Enzo Maresca insists Manchester City second goal was a fluke

Enzo Maresca has offered a scathing response after benching Raheem Sterling for the critical encounter against Manchester City.

Chelsea’s Premier League season will begin on Sunday afternoon, when they host champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca left forward Sterling out of the team, prompting the former City winger to issue a statement seeking explanation on his future.

And now, the new Chelsea manager has responded to Sterling’s release, and he has not held back.

Maresca told Sky Sports: “It is just a technical judgment; nothing else to say.”

“Managers are paid to make decisions, and players do not always like them.”

Sterling’s absence from the Chelsea squad was surprising, given that he scored in both of the two teams’ Premier League games last season.

Maresca dubbed the 29-year-old a “essential player” during the build-up to the 2024/25 season after he appeared in all six Chelsea pre-season matches.

As a result, minutes after the squad sheets for the match against Manchester City were released without Sterling, the Daily Mail published a statement from the player’s management team.

It read: “Raheem Sterling is under contract with Chelsea Football Club for the next three years. He came to England two weeks early to begin individual training, and he has had a nice pre-season with the new coach, with whom he has formed an excellent working connection.