Ally McCoist gives no-nonsense advice to Raheem Sterling with Chelsea fate decided
Raheem Sterling has been left searching for options having failed to secure a move away from Chelsea on deadline day.
The ex-England winger has been left out of Enzo Maresca’s plans for large parts of the Spaniards reign at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling spent last season on loan at Arsenal, and has since returned to Chelsea, where he signed in 2022 having left Manchester City.
It is believed there has been interest in the winger from Saudi Arabia, the United States of America (USA) and Turkey.
Raheem Sterling at a career crossroads
Sterling is at a crossroads in his career, still in his prime at 29, the Jamaican-born winger hasn’t managed to hit the heights of his previous career peaks.
Talking on talkSPORT [September 2], Ally McCoist gave Sterling some advice: “He’s well entitled to do what he’s doing [holding out for the right move], we might moan about it because that’s our opinion from the outside.
“I’m of that opinion too, because I think he should bite the bullet if he can in terms of finance.
“I’m not privy to all the financial facts and figures but i’m just saying what I would do, I would certainly take a financial sacrifice or whatever to go and play football,” McCoist finished.
McCoist was speaking in regards to questions over whether Sterling should make a financial sacrifice or opt for a move abroad in order to secure a move.
Enzo Maresca has to strike a balance with Chelsea’s attacking options
Football Insider verdict
Following the injury of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson’s move to Bayern Munich, Maresca now finds his options in attack limited.
Marc Guiu was recalled from his loan spell at Sunderland to serve as a back-up forward but with Cole Palmer also injured and Sterling out of favour, options are thin on the ground.
| Season | Goals |
| 2020-21 | 10 |
| 2021-22 | 12 |
| 2022-23 | 6 |
| 2023-24 | 8 |
| 2024-25 | 0 |
The Spaniard opted for Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto and Estevao in the absence of Palmer against Fulham, and it was Tyrique George who was given the nod in place of Delap after the forward’s injury.
It is likely that Pedro will play as the number nine in the immediate term with Enzo Fernandez potentially getting pushed on into the number 10 positon, but Maresca, who is blessed with wide options, will have to reassess his central attacking options.