Raheem Sterling, the 2014 Golden Boy of football, the 2018 PFA Young Player of the Year, an English boy who chased Lionel Messi for the most goal involvements in 2019, has become a shadow of himself.
Sterling, who clocked 30 six months ago, was once a key figure in the Premier League and the English National Team and has now experienced a notable decline in his career over the past few years.
Raheem Sterling, the first marquee signing of Chelsea’s Todd Boehly-Clearlake era, joined from Manchester City in July 2022 for £45m plus up to £10m in performance-related bonuses.
The signing was a coup due to his four Premier League titles and England international status. At the club, Sterling was expected to shine.
However, his two-year stint at Chelsea (2022-2024) was marred by inconsistent performances and managerial upheaval, culminating in a disappointing loan move to rivals Arsenal in August 2024.
The Arsenal loan was the most disappointing chapter of Sterling’s career.
He struggled to secure a starting spot, making only four Premier League starts and accumulating just over 900 minutes across 22 appearances in all competitions.
His only goal in an Arsenal shirt came in the Carabao Cup against Bolton, with two assists in the Premier League.
Despite flashes of brilliance, such as a Man of the Match performance in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven, his limited impact frustrated Arsenal fans, with some supporters labelling him one of their worst recent signings.
Early in the 2024/25 season, injuries to Arsenal’s key players like Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz offered Sterling a chance to shine.
Mikel Arteta praised his experience, urging him to “have a big influence on the Premier League title race.”
However, Sterling and Arsenal failed to maintain their five-point lead after Matchweek 16, faltering late in the season and finishing behind champions Liverpool.
And with the season now over, Arsenal have opted not to pursue a permanent deal, leaving Sterling to return to Chelsea, where he remains under contract until 2027.
Sterling’s Premier League Peak to Arsenal Struggles
How Good Was Sterling?
Sterling who had his breakthrough season at Liverpool, became a key player under Brendan Rodgers in the 2013/14 season at just 19.
Raheem, as he was fondly called, was blessed with blistering pace and a high 1v1 success rate on the wings; he was a constant threat.
His work rate and versatility – playing as a winger, attacking midfielder, or even wingback – made him integral to Rodgers’ system.
Sterling’s performances, alongside Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge (the “SSS” trident), earned him the 2014 Golden Boy Award, with Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández claiming Sterling could succeed Messi as the world’s best player.
Despite scoring 23 goals and providing 25 assists in 129 appearances for Liverpool, Raheem Sterling’s lack of silverware led him to join Manchester City in 2015, where he solidified his reputation as one of the Premier League’s top wingers.
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Manchester City Glory (2015-2022)
Raheem Sterling’s peak moments were with Manchester City.
At the Etihad, he spent seven years, where he secured 12 trophies: four Premier League titles, five EFL Cups, two Community Shields, and an FA Cup.
Alongside City, he helped set a Premier League record of 100 points and 106 goals in the 2017/18 season.
The following year, Raheem Sterling’s 17 goals and nine assists were key to Manchester City’s domestic treble.
Pep Guardiola lauded his work rate and consistency, highlighting Sterling’s 115 goals under his management, trailing only Sergio Aguero’s 119.
With City, Sterling solidified his reputation as a top Premier League winger.
Raheem Sterling’s Chelsea Struggles
A Tale of Lost Confidence and Managerial Chaos
Once celebrated as a world-class talent, Raheem Sterling’s two-year spell at Chelsea (July 2022–August 2024) became a story of faltering confidence, relentless managerial changes, and a club mired in turmoil.
During his time at Chelsea, he played under four managers: Thomas Tuchel (2022), Graham Potter (2022/23), Frank Lampard (Interim Coach in 2023), and Mauricio Pochettino (2023/24).
Enzo Maresca, appointed in 2024, excluded Sterling from his plans, meaning Sterling never played under him.
The rapid turnover of four coaches in two years sharply contrasts with the stability Raheem Sterling experienced at Manchester City, where he played under two managers: Manuel Pellegrini for one year and Pep Guardiola for six years, and at Liverpool, where he also had two managers, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers, over five years.
This lack of continuity at Chelsea disrupted Sterling’s ability to find a consistent role, undermining his confidence and contributing to his struggles.
Another defining moment came in a March 2024 FA Cup match against Leicester City, when Sterling, taking a penalty from designated taker Cole Palmer, missed and faced boos from Chelsea fans.
This incident was discussed on social media, fuelling perceptions of selfishness and deeply denting his confidence.
The backlash amplified his mental struggles, making him appear hesitant on the pitch.
Sterling’s lack of confidence showed in his play with excessive touches, and weak shots instead of passes in critical moments.
His 15 big chances missed in the Premier League over two seasons (nine in 2022/23, 6 in 2023/24) underscored his mental disconnect, a day and night difference from his Manchester city days.
These struggles followed him to Arsenal, where limited minutes and lingering confidence issues hindered his impact.
Potential Future Move
Sterling has been linked with several clubs since the transfer window opened, as Chelsea’s current manager, Enzo Maresca has no plans of reintegrating him into the squad.
Chelsea are seeking to offload him and sign younger wingers in his position.
The Blues have been linked to Borussia Dortmund’s Grittens, Bayern Leverkusen’s Hugo Ekitike, West Ham’s Mohamed Kudus and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
Fenerbache, coached by Chelsea’s former head coach Jose Mourinho, has been linked to signing Sterling, and Italian club Juventus, have also been mentioned to have registered an interest in him.
Links to Saudi Arabia still remain, though reports claim Sterling has declined the possibility of a move.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Action Plus
Recording Date: 12.03.2025