When Chelsea signed Raheem Sterling from Manchester City two years ago, it seemed to be a shrewd signing.
After all, he had sparkled at the Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola – establishing himself as a key player for both club and country in the process.
Chelsea signed Sterling adamant that he could replicate that form. While his final season at City didn’t live up to expectations, the view within Stamford Bridge was that he’d regain his mojo over in London.
Fast-forward to now, however, and Sterling finds himself at a crossroads.
Raheem Sterling was left out of the Chelsea squad for their 2-0 defeat to Man City on Sunday
GETTY
Upon waking up on Sunday, he had expected to be part of the Chelsea squad to tackle City in their Premier League opener.
But the forward was then ruthlessly dropped from the squad by new manager Enzo Maresca, in a decision that has raised eyebrows.
Maresca wasn’t too keen to discuss Sterling after goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic had consigned his team to defeat.
The England international’s camp had released a statement saying they want ‘clarity’ over the winger’s position following his snub.
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Yet Maresca batted away the question, saying: “To be honest, I didn’t see the statement. I have nothing to say.
“It was a tactical decision, no more than that. In the next day, we will clarify in case we need to.
“I have been clear, it’s a tactical decision. I didn’t see it.”
There is a sense, however, that Sterling’s days in the capital are numbered. Given his patchy form over the past two years, it’s clear to see why.
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The brutal truth of the matter is that the Chelsea version of Sterling is a pale imitation of the one that flourished at City.
He bagged nine goals in his first season, before bettering that total by one last term.
To put that decline into perspective, he had scored 14 goals or more for each of the past five seasons before his move to Stamford Bridge.
The assists have dried up, too. In the Premier League he’s managed just seven for Chelsea in two years. Before that, he’d clocked up 12 for City – helping them dominate the top flight in the process.
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Raheem Sterling has decline drastically since his move to Chelsea back in the summer of 2022
PA
Throw in the fact that Sterling earns a staggering £325,000-a-week, it’s no understatement to say Chelsea haven’t got bang for their buck.
The Blues are well-stocked for wingers. Even though none of them are the finished article, they’re players on the up – rather than down.
Mykhaylo Mudrk, Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke carry promise. Cole Palmer, so often deployed on the flanks, is already the finished article.
Clubs from Saudi Arabia are reportedly keen on Sterling, while interest from West Ham has been talked up as well.
Raheem Sterling’s absence drew a blunt response from Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca
REUTERS
It is hard to see him ever regaining the form that once made him undroppable for both City and England.
Therefore, a parting of ways would suit all involved.