Raheem Sterling Seeks New Opportunities After Chelsea Exit

omidbasir- Raheem Sterling is actively seeking a new club following his recent exit from Chelsea, which was officially announced last week. The former England international has faced significant challenges securing playing time over the past few seasons. Although he made 31 appearances in the Premier League during the 2023/24 season, he was loaned to Arsenal for the 2024/25 season. However, he struggled to integrate into Mikel Arteta’s plans, featuring in only 17 league matches with seven starts, ultimately resulting in his relegation to Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad.’

Enzo Maresca addressed this situation, expressing understanding for the difficulties players face: “My father is 75 years old and has been a fisherman for 50 years, working from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. That is hard work, not like being a player who wishes to train and play matches. The circumstances are what they are, and I know the club is providing them the opportunity to train properly. It’s a situation that can happen at any club, not just Chelsea, and it’s essential to give players the tools they need despite their lack of involvement.”

Union Berlin has revealed that they were presented with the opportunity to sign Sterling but did not take the offer seriously. The winger was reportedly earning over £300,000 per week at Stamford Bridge, and given Union’s current position of ninth in the Bundesliga, they deemed the proposal unviable. Heldt commented, “Sometimes you have to rub your eyes. In this case, it didn’t really seem serious, so we didn’t pursue it any further.”

Union Berlin has previously signed high-profile players, such as Leonardo Bonucci for the 2023/24 season, but his tenure was notably underwhelming.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has suggested that Sterling is more likely to join an elite club rather than a team like Union Berlin. He stated, “This marks a new chapter for Raheem Sterling. His unceremonious exit from Chelsea should not overshadow the remarkable achievements he has accumulated throughout his career.

“Sterling’s journey has been marked by peaks and valleys, having burst onto the scene as a teenage sensation and reaching his zenith in his mid-twenties. The high expectations set during the early part of his career may cause this current phase to feel like an anti-climax. However, his successes far outweigh any recent setbacks related to his time at Chelsea. As one of the best English players of this generation, discussions around his career should focus on his explosive start and his development under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He has secured 10 major trophies, earned 82 England caps, scored 194 goals, and was awarded the 2019 Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year.”

Carragher added, “As a former teammate, I can attest to his exceptional attitude towards training and his dedication to performing on the pitch—Sterling ranks among the most respected. Wherever he lands next, he carries one of the most decorated CVs of any free agent in football history. Let’s hope for a fitting conclusion to his journey.”

At just 31 years of age, Sterling holds 82 England caps and continues to await a call as he looks for a suitable opportunity to conclude his career.