Raheem Sterling's tenure at Chelsea has been nothing short of disastrous, with the 31-year-old winger struggling to find his footing in Thomas Tuchel's system before Graham Potter took over and eventually leaving him out of the squad entirely. Despite being touted as a marquee signing when he joined the Blues in the summer of 2022 for Β£47.5m, Sterling's arrival failed to spark the excitement that was expected, with many fans beginning to question whether the deal was worth it.
Sterling's time at Chelsea has been marked by inconsistency and a general sense of disconnection from the team's plans, with the winger often training on his own due to his high wage demands. His last appearance for the club came in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth, scoring just one goal in 81 games - a far cry from the impact he had made during his time at Manchester City.
The situation has become increasingly bleak for Sterling, with clubs reportedly hesitant to take him on due to concerns over his age and fitness levels. Napoli's sporting director Giovanni Manna was blunt in his assessment of Sterling, stating that the winger is "very strong" but lacks recent playing time, making it difficult for potential buyers to assess his value.
Despite this, Sterling remains open to moving abroad, with a desire to find a club where he can contribute regularly and be part of a winning team. His family life has also been affected by his time at Chelsea, with two burglaries at his home since joining the club - a clear indication that he's struggled to cope with the pressures of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Ultimately, Sterling's future hangs in the balance, with many hoping that he can find a new chapter in his career where he can rediscover his form and make a meaningful contribution. However, it's hard not to feel for the player who has been let down by Chelsea's handling of his contract, with the club ultimately deciding that their investment was not worth the cost.
As Sterling embarks on this next stage of his career, one thing is certain - he needs to get right. The clock is ticking, and with clubs like Fulham and West Ham reportedly uninterested in signing him, it's going to take a lot more than just his talent to revive his career.
Sterling's time at Chelsea has been marked by inconsistency and a general sense of disconnection from the team's plans, with the winger often training on his own due to his high wage demands. His last appearance for the club came in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth, scoring just one goal in 81 games - a far cry from the impact he had made during his time at Manchester City.
The situation has become increasingly bleak for Sterling, with clubs reportedly hesitant to take him on due to concerns over his age and fitness levels. Napoli's sporting director Giovanni Manna was blunt in his assessment of Sterling, stating that the winger is "very strong" but lacks recent playing time, making it difficult for potential buyers to assess his value.
Despite this, Sterling remains open to moving abroad, with a desire to find a club where he can contribute regularly and be part of a winning team. His family life has also been affected by his time at Chelsea, with two burglaries at his home since joining the club - a clear indication that he's struggled to cope with the pressures of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Ultimately, Sterling's future hangs in the balance, with many hoping that he can find a new chapter in his career where he can rediscover his form and make a meaningful contribution. However, it's hard not to feel for the player who has been let down by Chelsea's handling of his contract, with the club ultimately deciding that their investment was not worth the cost.
As Sterling embarks on this next stage of his career, one thing is certain - he needs to get right. The clock is ticking, and with clubs like Fulham and West Ham reportedly uninterested in signing him, it's going to take a lot more than just his talent to revive his career.