Manchester City decided in a bold move to sell three of their players to key Premier League rivals last summer, with two of the main players being Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko who have since gone on to become key figures for title-challenging Arsenal. The third, Raheem Sterling, however, seems to have had problems finding his feet at Chelsea.
This isn’t at all surprising considering the circumstances shrouding the Stamford Bridge club since the Blues were purchased by a consortium comprising Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital last summer. The change in ownership prompted a complete rebuild of the club both on and off the pitch, bringing wiwth it new front office appointments, a total managerial revamp and numerous transfers.
Although in no way culpable for all this, Sterling has still been underwhelming in his first season donning Chelsea colors. While enjoying a steady reputation as a reliable goal-scorer at Manchester City, he has been unable to rediscover his form in Chelsea, having scored just four goals in 22 league appearances, to the extent that the England international isn’t even certain of his place in the first team.
“Raheem has been there and done it and there’s history of producing,” interim Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said when asked if Sterling would be able to recapture his best form before the end of the season. “I think he’s a fantastic player. He’s been one of the best wingers in the world for a long time, at times, maybe in some people’s opinion, the best.
“He’s risen to games like that before in the past so that’s something we’ll obviously rely on in terms of this because some elements of the squad are maybe a bit younger. He certainly is a player of a high level and a high competence level and understanding of the game that it won’t faze him.”
As it stands, 28-year-old Sterling would likely be confronting a decision regarding his immediate future as he doesn’t have the luxury of time on his side to wait for Chelsea to find their way again at. The winger is in the peak of his career and a competitive team around him that can challenge for major honours and trophies is what he urgently needs, something Chelsea are seemingly not able to achieve at the present moment in time.
Sterling signed a five-year contract last summer until 2027. However, Financial Fair Play (FFP) concerns could compel the Blues to sell a number of players this summer and should an offer be made for Sterling, the likelihood is that they could seriously consider it.
For that matter, Sterling himself could well be open to a fresh start elsewhere.