Raheem Sterling's career at Chelsea is considered to have ended 18 months ago. At that time, the team's captain, Enzo Maresca, told the media that he needed a different type of winger, not Sterling.
Therefore, Sterling leaving Stamford Bridge is not surprising. If there is anything unusual, it is that the English striker has stayed at the club longer than Maresca, who was sacked more than 1 month ago due to conflicts with the club's board of directors.
The termination of the contract with Sterling according to the wishes of both sides will help Chelsea save a very large salary payable to the former Man City star. Sterling has 1 and a half years left on his contract and receives a salary of 300,000 pounds/week. Immediately after the termination with Chelsea, Sterling is a free agent and can immediately find a new destination in the last hours of the winter transfer window, giving him more opportunities to play.
Chelsea has had many options on the left wing since Raheem Sterling was dropped by Enzo Maresca, before that was the case of Mykhailo Mudryk using banned substances. Within 18 months, they once borrowed Jadon Sancho, bought out Alejandro Garnacho of Man United, then bought Jamie Gittens (Dortmund). If they find a team that also needs to add the left wing, Sterling can be put on the field immediately.
Sterling is 31 years old this year, not too energetic anymore, but if he accepts the role of rotating substitute, the striker's appearance is not something far-fetched. This time, Sterling is more determined with the future when choosing to completely end with Chelsea. He does not like the loan scene anymore, from there he will find a new place to live and bring his family along.
At this point, looking back, it is clear that the Sterling deal between Chelsea and Man City should not have taken place. In the summer of 2022, The Blues bought the English striker outright from The Citizens for £47.5 million. At that time, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly even praised Sterling for being world-class and capable of competing for the Golden Ball. Chelsea's willingness to pay Sterling a high salary like Kevin De Bruyne or Mohamed Salah shows how much the London team values and expects from him.
However, until the end of the first season, everything broke down. Fans raised many questions on forums about Sterling's true class. As for Chelsea, they began to see throwing money into this deal as too foolish an act. Sterling was then loaned to Arsenal but was also returned without any regret.
If he is not serious about his career, the 31-year-old striker may choose to stay and receive the remaining salary, then find a destination. He has many off-field businesses such as the RS7 academy. Sterling may have chosen a peaceful life in the last years of his career but he did not do so because of his desire to shine again.
Sterling's contract termination is a painful lesson for Chelsea's leadership. They will not be able to spend money indiscriminately on a player who has passed his peak in such a way. Now, Chelsea is gradually shifting to young players, who receive low salaries and are more dedicated.
Sterling left Chelsea "without fanfare" because in the past time, he has never become an important person for the team. Even, many fans have forgotten because this striker has not been on the field for too long. One side no longer has the motivation to play, the other side is also not interested, so decisive separation is something that should be done.
Sterling will have to choose a mid-range team or leave England to find a new challenge. In the immediate future, the 2026 World Cup, if Sterling still wants to participate, he must have a breakthrough in form from now until the end of the season to nurture hope.
