Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has left out four players from his squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off this weekend, cutting over £150 million worth of talent, including Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix.
The Blues are preparing to travel to the United States in the coming days, where they will face MLS side LAFC in the group stage, before taking on Flamengo and Tunisian club Esperance.
Raheem Sterling has been excluded from the squad after a disappointing loan stint at Arsenal last season. Joao Felix, a £45 million acquisition who spent the latter part of the campaign on loan at AC Milan, has also been dropped.
Defender Axel Disasi, who finished last season on loan with Aston Villa, is another notable omission from the traveling team.
Perhaps the most unexpected exclusion is goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. He had been tipped to take over as Chelsea’s No. 1 after the club’s unsuccessful pursuit of AC Milan’s Mike Maignan.
Maresca’s decisions signal a new direction as Chelsea aim for a strong showing in the global tournament.
