Paul Merson delivers DAMNING verdict on Raheem Sterling's Chelsea saga - as the ex-Arsenal star admits he hopes manager Enzo Maresca is 'not being dictated from above'

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Paul Merson has expressed concerns over the way Chelsea are handling the Raheem Sterling situation and says he hopes manager Enzo Maresca is 'not being dictated from above'.

Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday evening that the winger had held clear the air talks with the side with the aim of finding a resolution to his uncertain future.

Stamford Bridge sources have disclosed that the outcome of discussions were for all parties to collaborate in finding Sterling, who has been given permission to miss training on Tuesday and Wednesday, a permanent move away from Chelsea ahead of next Friday's transfer deadline.

The club are now actively trying to identify suitors for the 29-year-old, who is expected to be kept updated by the club.

But Arsenal legend Merson remains worried about goings on at Chelsea, despite the latest development, and said reports from the club were 'really strange' in an interview with Sky Sports. 

Paul Merson has expressed concerns over Chelsea's handling of the Raheem Sterling situation 

The Arsenal icon remains worried about goings on at the club, despite the latest development

Chelsea will look to find a new team for Sterling, who isn't part of Enzo Maresca's plans

'It's very rare that you get rid of players that you've already got and Raheem comes under that,' he said. 'He's better than some of the wingers at Chelsea, there's no doubt about that.

'I find it really strange - I hope the manager's not being dictated from above and he's saying what they want him to say because when you're a manager of a big football club like Chelsea who want to win things you've got to do it your way.

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'It's not a good start so far if I'm being honest. It's like a soap opera...but it doesn't look good - [Previous manager Mauricio] Pochettino had been out of work for a while and then in the end he can't really wait to get out of Chelsea.'

It is hoped the talks, that included direct dialogue with Sterling, will pave the way towards the player's permanent exit this summer.

The England international has not been at the club's Cobham HQ since representatives of the player released a statement calling for clarity over his future following a sequence of events, with the squad exclusion for last Sunday's clash versus Manchester City being the tip of the iceberg.

The 29-year-old has now been successful in securing the clarity he sought, with the player now clear he has no future under Enzo Maresca.

Sterling has not been at the club's training centre in Surrey this week with permission from the club.

Maresca has said he will train away from the first team, along with the likes of Ben Chilwell and Trevoh Chalobah.

Sterling was given permission to miss training and was left out of the squad against Man City

Chelsea are continuing to see a significant turnover of players under Todd Boehly

Trevoh Chalobah has been prevented from using senior facilities this summer

It remains to be seen whether Sterling will be precluded from using first-team facilities when he returns to Cobham.

Chalobah has been prevented from using senior facilities this summer after the club made clear he is available for transfer.

If the club are consistent with that stance, Sterling will be asked to train with academy until he finds a new club.