While it is only a loan deal, a return to Chelsea for Raheem Sterling now seems very unlikely.
Enzo Maresca has told reporters on more than one occasion that the 29-year-old is not the kind of winger that he likes.
Since Sterling’s exit, Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United. It has been claimed that Chelsea plan to use Sancho on the left this season.
Raheem Sterling of Arsenal looks on from the stands during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirate...
Raheem Sterling thought he was a good fit for Enzo Maresca
While the new Chelsea manager could not really envision Sterling being in his team, the England international thought differently.
According to GiveMeSport, Sterling believed he tactically suited Maresca’s philosophy, only for the Italian to remove him from his squad before the club sanctioned his exit late on deadline day.
Had Arsenal’s new signing stayed at Chelsea, he would not have played any football at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are now quite stacked in the wide positions following Sancho’s arrival, while Maresca warned Sterling before his departure that he would not get minutes under him if he remained at the club.
Chelsea’s sporting directors would have had doubts about Raheem Sterling
As well as Maresca, Chelsea’s sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley and the club’s owners also would have had concerns about Sterling going into this season.
Chelsea spent big money on the former Manchester City man when they signed him in 2022, but he has failed to deliver in west London.
Last season, Sterling only managed to score eight goals in the Premier League, and the campaign before that he barely got past five.
The club, as a whole, probably came to the decision that it was time to move on from the England winger, especially after signing Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock hailed Neto as a “class addition” earlier this week, and the 24-year-old will have the chance to prove that later when Chelsea take on Crystal Palace.
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