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It has now been more than a decade since Raheem Sterling left Liverpool to join Manchester City.
Four Premier League titles and 12 trophies in total later, his career has not gone badly. However, in the last couple of seasons, Sterling, now 30, has gone off the boil. He played 17 times in the Premier League last season on loan at Arsenal, but only for a total of under 500 minutes, and has since failed to get a move elsewhere.
Sterling is Chelsea's top earner, taking home around $440K (£325K) per week. Fulham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham were among the London clubs sounded out during the summer, but nothing came off — which means staying put. He is under contract for another two years, even if he found himself in Enzo Maresca's "bomb squad".
Former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda says Sterling could still work his way back into Chelsea's plans, however. "The first thing about Sterling is that he earned this contract through his performances," he told Boyle Sports.
"So I believe at this moment, he is not part of the plan, but he's still a good player. We will mention injuries; it's not like there was an issue where you'd say, 'OK, let's cross this player. We don't want him anymore.'
"I don't like the topic of his wages or the money involved. He earned his contract and everybody was fine with it. Now it's more about how, as a club, you consider your players and how you bring them back to full confidence.
"I'm sure Raheem Sterling, in full confidence, without injury problems, terminating his contract wouldn’t be an option. The perspective must change. That comes with conversations — honest conversations — because you need players like him, but at his best level.
"While he's still a Chelsea player, we should do everything as a club for him to feel at home. I think that's the best way to get the best out of a player like Sterling."
"It doesn’t look like Sterling will still be at Chelsea by the time he turns 31 in December," Dennis Wise, speaking to Sky Bet, said. "He’s been out on loan, and the message from the club seems clear: if you can find somewhere else, you can go.
"From his point of view, he’s got to think carefully about what’s best for him. Chelsea have gone down a very young route now, bringing in players mostly between 18 and 25, and Raheem doesn’t fit that category anymore. At 31, he needs to think about his next move.
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"I’m sure he’ll work hard between now and January, but it comes down to circumstances — whether a club wants him permanently or just on loan. I don’t think he’ll want to keep moving around on loan. At this stage of his career, he’ll want a permanent home, somewhere he feels valued.
"At 31, he’s probably got one more big contract left, so he has to make sure it’s the right fit for him. But it does look clear now that the writing’s on the wall — Raheem isn’t going to play much of a part in Chelsea’s future."
Liverpool.com says: Sterling has had a good career, but it hasn't perhaps gone the way it might have. Moving to Chelsea wasn't a good idea, but that is true of lots of players.
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