Raheem Sterling's 'good times' seem as far away as ever and Chelsea continue to deliver on drama - they are their side of London's answer to Eastenders, writes KIERAN GILL

Chelsea's season was an hour from starting when Mail Sport revealed the statement sent our way on behalf of the biggest name at the club.

It told us that Raheem Sterling had returned two weeks earlier than planned in pre-season so he could get to work. That he had total respect for Enzo Maresca. That he was surprised he had been omitted from the match-day squad, especially after his involvement in the media build-up. That he was looking forward to receiving clarity on his situation from the club's hierarchy.

Never let it be said that Chelsea do not deliver on drama, this Premier League club providing it on a weekly basis in one way or another. They are this side of London's answer to EastEnders, and this latest episode started on Friday afternoon when Sterling was informed of the decision made by Maresca following the team's training session at Cobham.

It was a civil conversation in which Chelsea's head coach explained how he was facing competition on the left wing amid their acquisition of new signings, most recently Pedro Neto for £51million and £3m in add-ons. Sterling requested that the club engage with his representatives but it is understood that did not transpire over the weekend, and so the player's camp went public as we counted down towards their big 2024-25 kick-off.

The timing of the statement's release did not impress some towards the top of Chelsea, the feeling being it was an unwanted distraction as they readied themselves for Manchester City.

Nevertheless, Sterling's surprise was heightened after his contribution to their tour of the United States. We spoke to the 29-year-old after Chelsea's fifth friendly at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. He had featured in all five of their fixtures, always managing at least 45 minutes as he told us 'good times' were coming for him and the club.

It appeared he would be a key man under Maresca as he looked bright when bursting inside from the left touchline. Sterling added in our conversation that Maresca could get the 'best' out of him after he excelled in a similar system under Pep Guardiola, and that he planned on using this new connection to get back into the England set-up after almost two years in the wilderness.

Missing out on facing his former employers was particularly disappointing for Sterling as they tend to entice something special out of him, the left winger having had Kyle Walker on toast more times than marmalade. Sterling scored against City home and away last season in the bonkers 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge and more ordinary 1-1 tie at the Etihad Stadium.

In his absence, Christopher Nkunku was trusted with the left wing, supported by Marc Cucurella. There were times when Nkunku was one-on-one with Rico Lewis but could not get by the City right back as Enzo Fernandez also drifted into that area from his central berth.

Neto replaced Nkunku introduced after 58 minutes, nearly scoring with his first touch after Fernandez's ball to the back post. Yet this was a day when City's wingers did more damage with Jeremy Doku starting on the right and Savinho on the left. They switched after 15 minutes, and that led to City's opener when Doku took on Moises Caicedo to cross as Erling Haaland scored.

Sterling still has full respect for Maresca, who has done well to win over this Chelsea group after the departure of Mauricio Pochettino, his predecessor whom they held in the highest regard.

To Maresca's credit, whenever he dropped a player at Leicester City, he was good at explaining in detail why he came to his decision, often with tactical reasoning. He would usually tell them when they might expect to emerge from the substitutes' bench also.

On this occasion, Sterling did not even get that opportunity. Maresca was asked if he wanted the Englishman to stay at Chelsea in his post-match press conference. The pause that followed was painfully long and in truth, it said more than the actual answer that followed about how he cannot name 30 players in his squad, as much as he would like to.

It could be argued that Sterling, even if he has not yet turned 30, is an outlier in this Chelsea squad of starlets. The club's approach is to sign young players on long contracts with incentives to improve their terms if they deliver on their promise, as has been the case with Cole Palmer after he signed a two-year extension to take him to 2033.

Sterling also struggled last season, even being booed by his own supporters on occasion, including in an FA Cup victory over Maresca's Leicester. However, plenty of his fellow players like to describe him as a 'big brother', such is his influence in the dressing room.

Sterling is under contract until 2027, as his statement reminded us yesterday, but the left winger does not want to join those rusting on the scrap heap. He wants to play for Chelsea, but between now and the end of the summer's transfer window, he can expect intense speculation.