Newcastle and West Ham stars react to Raheem Sterling amid Chelsea limbo
Raheem Sterling has taken to social media following the Chelsea star's failed loan spell with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
The 30-year-old winger has struggled to fit in at Stamford Bridge after leaving Man City in 2022, being sent out on loan for the 2024/25 season, and scoring just one goal in 28 total appearances.
Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Leeds United and Sunderland could agree a cut-price deal for Sterling this summer, with the player continuing to fall down the pecking order.
Enzo Maresca has multiple wingers at his disposal, including Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho, and Noni Madueke, though neither of the latter two's futures is certain anymore.
With over 300 appearances for the Citizens and a further 82 caps for the England national team, it is upsetting to see such a fall from grace for Sterling, and the player has now shared a new update on social media.
Raheem Sterling enjoying time away after failed Arsenal loan
Taking to Instagram (21 June), Sterling wrote: "Work Mode," gaining likes from Newcastle United duo Joe Willock and Kieran Trippier, West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Chelsea teammate Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea exit on the cards for Raheem Sterling this summer
Football Insider verdict
Stefan Borson suggested to Football Insider that Sterling could leave Chelsea on a free transfer, and after arriving on a £47.5million deal in 2022 [Sky Sports], that would highlight just how much his career has stalled.
However, Maresca has cut-throat decisions to make over the coming weeks and parting ways with the former Man City winger will not be a difficult one, given the talent already within the squad.
The Blues will be preparing for a tough season ahead, not only with higher ambitions in the Premier League, but also Champions League football being back at Stamford Bridge.
The likes of Andrey Santos, Marc Guiu, and David Datro Fofana could all be brought back into the first-team squad following their loan spells, and there are new signings to contend with as well.
Dario Essugo and Liam Delap have both made their debuts for the Blues at the Club World Cup, and it remains to be seen where Sterling fits in anymore as the team continues to develop and evolve.
It has been a massively disappointing second half to the winger's career, and if he wants to rediscover his spark on the pitch, a move away from the "big-six clubs" could be a step in the right direction.