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Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix Set For Club World Cup Squad Omission As Chelsea Look To Offload Duo 4o6s
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Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished11 Jun 2025
Chelsea duo Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix are expected to miss out on the Blues’ Club World Cup squad amid their rumoured departures.
Sterling and Felix Miss Out On Chelsea Club World Cup Squad 17w4x
Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix are set to be excluded from Chelsea’s squad for the Club World Cup.
The pair spent last season out on loan. Sterling spent the entire 2024-25 campaign with Premier League runners-up Arsenal, while Felix spent the second half of the term with AC Milan in Italy.
After both players failed to impress during their spell away from Stamford Bridge, it looks as though they will now be sold.
Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano posted on X (formerly Twitter): “João Félix and Raheem Sterling will also not be part of Chelsea Club World Cup squad.
“Chelsea will look for solutions on the market for both players.
“João’s previous number (14) will now be used by new g Dário Essugo.”
🚨❌ João Félix and Raheem Sterling will also not be part of Chelsea Club World Cup squad.
Chelsea will look for solutions on the market for both players.
👕 João’s previous number (14) will now be used by new g Dário Essugo. pic.twitter.com/omHzKQ4gMo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 11, 2025
The Telegraph also report that Axel Disasi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, and Djordje Petrovic, who enjoyed a spell at Strasbourg last season, are also expected to miss out.
Petrovic’s omission comes as the biggest shock to fans, as Chelsea’s proposed move for Mike Maignan has fallen through.
Ecuadorian youngster Kendry Paez will also miss out amid his soon-to-be-completed loan move to Strasbourg.
Enzo Maresca’s squad for the Club World Cup is expected to be announced at around 17:00 on Wednesday evening, with teams having the ability to bring between 25 and 50 players to the tournament.
The Blues are expected to keep their squad rather trim however, with only a limited group of players rumoured to be travelling. Any player that isn’t included will likely not be in Maresca’s plans for 2025-26.
Who Do Chelsea Play at the FIFA Club World Cup? 2s1b6k
The West Londoners kickstart their Club World Cup campaign on Monday, 16 June.
They have been drawn into Group D alongside Los Angeles FC, Esperance de Tunis and Flamengo.
Their opener will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against MLS side LAFC. Fixtures against Flamengo and ES Tunis follow at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday, 20 June, and Tuesday, 24 June.
Maresca’s men will be looking to build on an impressive end to the 2024-25 season at the tournament.
The Blues finished the English top-flight campaign in fourth, securing Champions League qualification for next season.
They also came from behind to win the UEFA Conference League, with Cole Palmer starring in the 4-1 win over Real Betis in the final.
Speaking to FIFA ahead of the Club World Cup, Maresca told of the media: “I’m happy [to be there] especially because it’s a tournament that brings together the top 32 teams in the world. So, it’s very exciting to take part in such a huge competition.
“You also have the opportunity to face other top coaches and some world-class teams. We were there – in North America – last summer, and it was great. There were so many fans there, and it will be another opportunity for them to come and watch us and for us to meet them. So, there’s no doubt it will be a great occasion.”