Raheem Sterling news: Three contenders for Chelsea outcast’s signature
Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has not had the best run since joining Chelsea in the summer of 2023 - and has been frozen out of the club’s first-team plans by new manager Enzo Maresca.
The winger was left out of the opening weekend squad against his former club Manchester City, and prior to the match his representatives released a statement on his behalf, ‘seeking clarity’ over his future at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling now has clarity, with Maresca admitting he is not in his first-team thinking.
The former Liverpool forward has also been stripped of his shirt number, with his number seven shirt being awarded to new signing Pedro Neto.
Chelsea have arguably had the most noise surrounding the club due to the volume of signings, particularly in the forward positions, notably Joao Felix.
Rumours have been doing the rounds about Sterling’s future, with a few clubs linked with a move for him before the summer transfer window shuts at 11pm on August 30.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Jon Shea takes a look at some possible contenders for Sterling’s signature - either on loan or a permanent transfer.
READ MORE: ‘Noisy’ Raheem Sterling let his Chelsea team-mates down, says Micah Richards
Liverpool
Liverpool are one of Sterling’s former clubs as he spent three seasons at Anfield before departing for Manchester City in 2015.
The Reds are yet to make a signing in this summer transfer window, and with certain forwards (Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo) flattering to deceive since signing, Sterling could be a possible option for their attacking options.
There is no love lost between Liverpool fans and Sterling, however, as many fans did not like the way he left the Merseyside club, accusing the winger of leaving for the money that Manchester City had to offer.
During his time at Liverpool, he notably formed a fierce partnership with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge during the 2013/14 season which put the Reds within two points of the Premier League title that season.
A return to Anfield is unlikely, but stranger things have happened in football.
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Aston Villa
Villa are a club on the up. With Champions League football to look forward to, and a top manager in Unai Emery, it’s hard to find a club in Europe with a better feel-good factor.
Villa lost a winger in the summer, with Moussa Diaby moving to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, so they may be in the market for a winger.
Sterling has the experience of playing at the top level with Manchester City and much-needed Champions League experience which a lot of Emery’s side lacks.
Sterling would add potency to Villa’s attack, posing a different threat to the wingers already on the books. He has an eye for a goal and knows how to arrive late to score.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu has criticised his team for the lack of efficiency in front of goal - and even though Sterling can be inconsistent in front of goal, he does have a knack for arriving at the right time to score goals.
Spurs’ wingers have flattered to deceive in the last few years, with Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson not hitting the heights in goals and creativity.
Sterling definitely would add a new dimension and could provide good service for Solanke and Son.
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