Sterling Parts Ways With Chelsea And Looks For Fresh Start After Difficult Spell

‎Raheem Sterling is aiming to revive his career after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent.

‎The 31-year-old winger, once the club’s top earner, fell out of favor last season and has been out of the team since the summer of 2024. At the time of his departure, Sterling had 18 months remaining on a contract worth £325,000 per week

‎Sterling struggled to recapture his best form after his move from Manchester City in 2022. He was the first big signing under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era and was touted as a marquee addition.

‎However, Sterling’s time at Chelsea has been a disappointment. He was inconsistent during his first two seasons and was loaned to Arsenal last season. Chelsea were keen to move him on after a shift in transfer policy led them to target young players on heavily incentivised long-term deals.

‎Sterling’s hefty wages and reluctance to relocate away from London made the sale challenging. He has not featured this season and has been training apart from the first team.

‎This month, Fulham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham have shown interest, but he is now believed to be open to leaving London.

‎It has been a sad decline for one of the most prominent players in English football’s recent history. The former Liverpool academy graduate won multiple honours at City and played a key role in Gareth Southgate’s revival of the England team.

‎Sterling scored three goals at Euro 2020 as England’s men reached a major tournament final for the first time since 1966. He has also been a prominent advocate against racism and received an MBE in 2021.

‎Chelsea said, “We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”

‎He hasn’t played for England since the 2022 World Cup, and was told in the summer of 2024 that he had no future at Chelsea.

‎The club has explored options for Sterling, but none proved appealing.