The Raheem Sterling exit from Chelsea was something that was forthcoming. The English winger spent two forgettable seasons at Chelsea before spending another on loan at Arsenal. However, since he left Manchester City, Sterling has not been particularly impressive.
The Raheem Sterling exit from Chelsea was finalised on Wednesday, January 28. For a player who has played in four big clubs – Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal – becoming a free agent at the age of 31 is not quite desirable.
Raheem Sterling Exit From Chelsea a Result of Sustained Underwhelming Form
The Raheem Sterling exit from the Royal Blues resulted from a consistent poor run for both Chelsea and Arsenal. In the last 109 matches for the two London clubs combined, Sterling managed to score only 20 goals. His stint at Arsenal yielded a solitary goal from 28 matches, which is a pretty forgettable run.
That is a far cry from his tally of 131 goals in 339 matches for Manchester City, with whom he won four Premier League titles. Sterling also managed to earn 82 international caps for the English national teams, scoring 20 goals in them.
For such a decorated footballer, it should be a travesty to spend time without playing football in his early thirties. He should be taken by any of the smaller clubs in the near future, but it can be assumed without much doubt that he is unlikely to be recruited by any top club.
Sterling’s game was largely based on pace and combining well with the centre-forward while playing as a winger. He can also play on either flank as well as the centre-forward, which makes him a very versatile footballer in general.
For a player who has registered more than 550 appearances in top-flight English football and scored 174 goals, it is not an ideal way to leave a club. The Raheem Sterling exit from Chelsea came after he was sidelined at the club and was forced to train separately from the rest of the team.
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Which Club Should Be an Ideal Destination for Sterling at the Moment?
Sterling could go to any of the smaller Premier League clubs in England. He should still have a few years left as a footballer. At the moment, Leeds United have been linked with the Englishman. Leeds will not be a bad club to go to for Sterling, as they have been playing Premier League football consistently in the recent past. Napoli, now a preferred destination for many former Premier League footballers, are also reportedly interested in signing him.
Sterling’s wealth of experience could come in handy for any smaller club, who do not have such accomplished footballers playing for them often. Raheem Sterling exit from Chelsea could thus open new avenues for him. He should aim to play in the Premier League until the age of 35 and hence, should be aiming for an offer from a club that can manage to avoid relegation.
It remains to be seen whether Sterling is able to get such a move soon. As of now, the football lovers all over the world will hope that he manages to entertain them with his exploits on the pitch for a few seasons.
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Credit: IMAGO / PA Images
Recording Date: 21.08.2024
