CHELSEA have given Raheem Sterling’s shirt to another player after he was frozen out.
The winger has not been given a new number as his time at the club appears all but over.
Sterling was left out of the squad for Sunday’s season opener against Manchester City and is training away from the first-team.
He took to social media to reveal he was “seeking clarity” following the axe but has since been brutally snubbed by manager Enzo Maresca.
The former England international is free to leave the club and will once again not be involved against Servette in the Conference League on Thursday.
Sterling has even lost his number seven shirt to summer signing Pedro Neto.
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Chelsea completed a shock £54million move for Neto earlier this month as they continued their transfer business.
Eagle-eyed fans first spotted the change on Chelsea’s online store, with “Neto – 7” available when personalising a kit.
The number seven had been held by Sterling since his arrival from Manchester City two seasons ago.
Trevoh Chalobah has also lost the number 14 to Joao Felix after he re-joined the club on Wednesday.
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Chelsea later confirmed the squad number changes, although neither Sterling or Chalobah have been given new numbers.
Meanwhile, fans have been given the chance to exchange any “Neto – 19” shirts they had purchased.
The Portuguese forward wore 19 as he made his debut off the bench against City before taking the number seven.
Sterling is now expected to leave the club before the transfer window closes on August 30.
The 29-year-old still has three years remaining on the deal he signed after joining the Blues in 2022.
He has since scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in 81 appearances for the club.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
