Raheem Sterling is leading a group of players who were in disarray at Chelsea after the 2025 summer transfer window. The English striker still receives a salary of £325,000/week despite no longer being in the team's plans.
At the age of 30, Sterling has been left out of the Blues' squad by coach Enzo Maresca for more than a year. The Italian captain publicly confirmed that the English striker is no longer in the Stamford Bridge project.
The experienced striker was once saved by Arsenal from chaos with a season-long loan deal. However, after a lackluster season, the Gunners have refused to sign a permanent contract, forcing Sterling to return to London, where he is no longer welcomed.
Sterling's situation has not changed throughout the summer of 2025. He was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 squad by Maresca and did not feature in the pre-season friendlies. Instead, the 30-year-old star had to practice separately, in a group of players later known as the sour name: " blockbuster team".
Most of the players no longer in the Blues' plans have found a new destination before the summer transfer window ends. However, Sterling, centre-back Axel Disasi and striker David Datro Fofana are still on the list.
This group of players will be stripped of all privileges. They have to use their own dressing room, private bathroom and are not allowed to eat together. However, Sterling and his teammates still receive a generous welcome, despite their isolation.
According to British media, with the remaining 2 years of his contract worth £325,000/week, Sterling - a player who has played 82 times for England - will still receive an additional £30 million in salary from Chelsea.
In the summer transfer window, the Stamford Bridge side have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus as well as London clubs Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham. However, all efforts to sell Sterling were unsuccessful.
The 30-year-old moved his family to London when he joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £47.5 million in 2022. Sterling does not want to leave his family for the second time in just 3 years. Especially since Thiago's son is studying at Arsenal's youth academy in the hope of following his father's footsteps.
Sterling's deal was once seen as an affirmation of the ambitions of the new owners at Chelsea. However, he ended up becoming a symbol of the team's massive and unoriented transfer policy.
Michael Owen recently spoke out about Sterling's situation and expressed sympathy for his junior. On social media, the former England striker expressed:
"He was well paid, but he didn't take advantage of the Arsenal opportunity. It is clear that Sterling is no longer suitable for Chelsea's requirements.
sadly, the real choice right now is probably just to move to Crystal Palace, West Ham or similar mid-level clubs. But that would only be possible if he accept a significant pay cut. And this is a question that only Sterling can answer.
Although the transfer market is still open in some countries such as Turkey or Saudi Arabia, the possibility of Sterling leaving at this time is considered very low.
That means Chelsea's situation could become more tense as the season enters an important stage. For Sterling, he is still struggling to find a way out for his future.
