Jamie Carragher issues Raheem Sterling reminder as clubs chase ex-Liverpool star

Jamie Carragher has defended Raheem Sterling following his Chelsea exit, insisting the free agent is one of the best English players of his generation despite never receiving the plaudits he deserves

Jamie Carragher has offered his opinion(Image: Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher is convinced that Raheem Sterling is "one of the best English players of his generation" and has raised questions about why the now-free agent has consistently been overlooked for recognition.

The former Liverpool winger's disappointing stint at Chelsea has come to an end after both parties agreed to terminate his contract early. This leaves Sterling available on the market, though his recent struggles remain fresh in people's minds.

Following a stellar spell at Manchester City, where he collected individual honors and played a pivotal role in Premier League title-winning campaigns, he found himself falling down the pecking order at the Etihad before failing to recapture his finest form upon moving to the capital.

The Blues splashed out £47.5 million ($65.3 million) to bring him in during the summer of 2022, a fee he ultimately failed to justify, but the Sky Sports pundit argued in The Telegraph that: "No player should be vilified because a club determined his value and then changed its mind two years later.

"Whatever Chelsea paid Sterling is a reflection of his status upon signing."

Sterling made his breakthrough at Liverpool, flourishing as a teenager as the Reds challenged for the Premier League title before engineering a departure and moving to Manchester.

Raheem Sterling became a superstar at Manchester City - but failed to show his best at Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)

It was at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola where Sterling experienced his finest moments.

Collecting multiple titles, he also enjoyed his most productive individual campaign when he netted over 20 goals across three consecutive seasons, all while being a mainstay with England under Gareth Southgate.

Frequently passed over when it came to the highest accolades, Carragher claimed that "there was a sense that Sterling never quite won the love of others."

He added: "I am not sure how high he would feature on an all-time list of the greatest England and Manchester City players. My suspicion is that he would rank lower than he should."

The former Liverpool defender also suggests: "Had Sterling's career ended with his Manchester City exit four years ago, he would have already achieved more by the age of 27 than most manage in a lifetime."

Yet Carragher acknowledges that the 31-year-old has fallen victim to excessive game time after establishing himself as a first-team regular during his teenage years.

Consequently, he has accumulated considerable mileage, raising doubts about whether he can recapture his former brilliance.

Clubs such as Tottenham are reportedly interested in Sterling, who will not be short of suitors.