Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Axel Disasi, and Ben Chilwell have all been left out of Chelsea’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, while Manchester City have omitted Jack Grealish from their travelling party.
Grealish’s exclusion was widely anticipated, with the 29-year-old England international having started just seven Premier League games during the 2024-25 season.
City’s 27-man squad also excludes former captain Kyle Walker, who spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan. However, England defender John Stones is included, despite not playing since February due to a thigh injury.
Chelsea’s 28-man squad also features several notable absentees — a quartet that cost the club approximately £179m in transfer fees but all ended last season out on loan.
Sterling, who arrived from Manchester City in 2022 for £50m, spent last season on loan at Arsenal, making 13 starts and scoring once. Felix, signed permanently for £45m from Atletico Madrid last summer, managed seven goals in 20 appearances before being loaned to AC Milan.
Disasi, a £38.5m acquisition from Monaco in 2023, made 17 appearances before finishing the season on loan with Aston Villa. Chilwell, who joined for £45m in 2020, played only once for Chelsea last season before being loaned to Crystal Palace, where he was an unused substitute in the Eagles’ FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, 25, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, has also been omitted from Chelsea’s squad.
The expanded edition of the Club World Cup kicks off in the United States on Sunday, 15 June (01:00 BST).
Chelsea Club World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Gaga Slonina.
Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Mamadou Sarr, Moises Caicedo, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Aaron Anselmino, Josh Acheampong.
Midfielders: Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Romeo Lavia.
Forwards: Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu.
Meanwhile, Grealish’s future at City remains uncertain after struggling for consistent playing time over the past two campaigns. Pep Guardiola’s squad has been further strengthened this summer with the arrivals of midfielders Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli — all of whom will travel to the U.S.
John Stones, 31, returns to action after missing England’s recent international fixtures, while Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, 28, continues his recovery after suffering an ACL injury last September.
Academy product James McAtee, 22, will not be part of City’s Club World Cup campaign as he captains England at the European Under-21 Championship.
Manchester City Club World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Marcus Bettinelli.
Defenders: Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Vitor Reis, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rico Lewis.
Midfielders: Tijjani Reijnders, Jeremy Doku, Nico Gonzalez, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Savinho, Matheus Nunes, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Nico O’Reilly.
Forwards: Omar Marmoush, Erling Haaland, Claudio Echeverri, Oscar Bobb.
