Former Arsenal ace’s explanation for early retirement could resonate with Raheem Sterling at Chelsea

Raheem Sterling has been metaphorically and literally left out in the cold by Chelsea.

He recently posted a photo of the Blues' Cobham training ground taken after dark, long after his first-team colleagues had finished their session. Enzo Maresca has shown no inclination to utilise the ex-Manchester City winger, who has also been removed from the club's website.

After a loan spell at Arsenal last season, Sterling expressed a desire to stay in London, where his young son is enrolled in the Gunners' youth academy. Sterling showed no interest in a move to Saudi Arabia, where they reportedly offered him double the £325,000 per-week wage he is on at Chelsea. Moves to Turkey and the USA also failed to pique his interest.

Now 30, the four-time Premier League winner finds himself in a situation reminiscent of that faced by former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur player David Bentley. Bentley chose to retire from football at the age of just 29, having been let go by Tottenham in 2014.

His final season saw him spend six months on loan at Russian club Rostov before returning to Blackburn Rovers for another loan for the rest of the campaign in February. He had every chance to extend his football career and the substantial wealth that accompanied it, even though he wasn't earning quite the same level of riches as Sterling.

Nevertheless, the Englishman, who progressed through the academy at the Gunners during the Invincibles period, had fallen out of love with the sport and refused to accept a place on the substitutes' bench. Fast forward to today, the former winger, who was once dubbed 'the Next David Beckham,' has exchanged football boots for boxing gloves.

He will be taking on ex-Chelsea midfielder and assistant manager Jody Morris on October 18 at the prestigious Grosvenor Hotel in Mayfair, London, on a charity boxing card organised by Pro Project Promotions, which is headed by former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack. Following a few rounds on the pads with former world championship challenger Kevin Mitchell, Bentley reflected on his early retirement choice without any remorse.

While he didn't directly mention Sterling, his comments may well strike a chord with the former Liverpool star, who is certainly not accustomed to being amongst the substitutes at this stage of the season. Speaking to the Mirror, Bentley – now 41 – said: "I was getting loads of offers. I just didn't want to go in and be a passenger, just being there, picking up the money and going through the motions.

"I never wanted to be that player. I'm either all in or I'm not in at all. I didn't want to be that guy that just went through the motions, I just didn't want to be that guy.

"I went out to Russia. It was pre-my contract ending at Tottenham. It just felt like the natural way things were in my life.

"It was the right time. I've got no regrets about that. Look at me. I look younger than when I played."

Sterling has been holding out for a switch to a fresh London outfit, but no bids have yet materialised. West Ham United and Crystal Palace failed to table an offer for his services, whilst Brentford also chose not to approach the Blues.

Fulham were momentarily linked with him, but a transfer did not come to fruition. With Sterling being forced to train separately from the first team squad, the Professional Footballers' Association recently contacted Chelsea to ensure he is able to maintain training and remain at an elite level.

Rules from football's world governing body FIFA do stipulate that a player being compelled to train in isolation can constitute "abusive conduct," which could enable a player to terminate their own contract with "just cause."

It hasn't reached that point with Sterling, who will undoubtedly be seeking fresh prospects when the January transfer window arrives.

To watch David Bentley fight Jody Morris and other fights involving previous Premier League heroes, secure your tickets at www.proprojectpromotions.com and join us for a night of drama, glamour, and giving back.

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