Latest news with #RaheemSterling
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
How Surprise Arsenal Loan Exposed The Price Of Sterling's Decline
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Raheem Sterling of Arsenal during a training session at Emirates Stadium ... More on May 14, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Some video messages from old friends were played during Kevin De Bruyne's tearful Manchester City farewell at the Etihad Stadium. Speaking from the stadium's big screens, club legends, from Pablo Zabaleta to Sergio Aguero, wished him well as the midfielder watched on with his family. Most messages were recorded humorously on phones from home, so it was odd to suddenly see a man wearing an Arsenal training jersey in a professionally lit boardroom. 'Yes, Kevin De Bruyne, it's Raheem [Sterling] here. Just wanted to send you a message and a little bit of love,' the former City winger said in his unmistakable North West London tones. 'Obviously arriving to the club at the same time, we spent a lot of time together, our families together. I know how much of a wonderful person you are. Top guy; don't say much, but when he does, it's normally funny. 'Over the last 10 years at Manchester City, what you have achieved is quite incredible - how you've led the team.' Sterling, of course, chose to leave North West England three years ago and joined Chelsea. At the time, the move was pitched to the media as Sterling's plan to hoover up soccer's biggest international prizes, having conquered England repeatedly with City. 'I've obviously achieved a lot in my career so far, but there is still so much more to achieve, and I'm really looking forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt under Thomas's management,' he said in his unveiling. It was suggested to the media that he wanted to win the Ballon d'Or and Champions League, and, still only 27, there seemed plenty of opportunity for him to achieve such goals. Chelsea had only beaten Manchester City in the final of Europe's top competition a year earlier and were preparing under new ownership for another tilt at glory. But things haven't gone to plan at all. First, Chelsea imploded- it fired the man who brought him in, Thomas Tuchel replaced him with Graham Potter, and embarked on the wildest transfer sprees in living memory. Weighed down by a bloated squad, the club tanked and has been miles off the level they were at when Sterling arrived. The trouble for the Londoner is that this decline has tracked with a personal drop in form. When current coach Enzo Maresca walked in the door last summer, the ownership had decided he was one of the players who needed to move on. Salvation came in the form of an unlikely loan move to title challengers Arsenal. It represented a step up and a chance to prove he could still mix it with the best in the country. But he has barely played and failed to impress in the few moments he was given an opportunity. As BBC reporter Nizaar Kinsella pointed out, it was a move he had to make. 'He risked rotting in Chelsea's 'bomb squad' late last summer before being given the chance to go to Arsenal,' he wrote last month. 'Unfortunately, he hasn't played well there, but it can't have helped that he has effectively been used as an emergency backup by Mikel Arteta, with the club never likely to sign him permanently. 'I don't actually think Sterling played too badly for Tuchel, Graham Potter or Mauricio Pochettino, but he is a victim of circumstance. 'He looks likely for another loan spell somewhere next summer, in my opinion, given clubs won't want to pay his full wage. 'It's also worth noting that Sterling has rejected the chance to move to Saudi Arabia in the past.' Step Down To Step Up COBHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Raheem Sterling of Chelsea during a session at Chelsea Training Ground ... More on August 13, 2024 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) It's a sign of how far the former England star has fallen that the clubs he's now being linked with are decidedly mid-table. 'He's 30 now, but maybe a club like Fulham could give him that opportunity and more chances to play,' former Gunners defender William Gallas said in an interview with Casino Games. 'I think it's time for a fresh challenge for Sterling. 'I think one of Arteta's biggest mistakes has been a lack of rotation at times because they have picked up injuries. 'You have to give players a rest at certain times, but with Sterling, he must be frustrated; maybe he will want to stay in the Premier League and in London.' On a salary of $409,000 per week, finding a club with pockets deep enough to foot that bill won't be easy. It's been reported that Sterling has been training intensely alone as he seeks a buyer. He was left out of Chelsea's Club World Cup squad. The concern is that he's already cooked, as Jonathan Wilson suggested in The Guardian earlier this year. He claimed that Sterling's decline is related to the more than 500 games the player's legs racked up. 'His decline has been startling; when the body starts to go, everything else that sustains a player at the highest level tails off too,' Wilson wrote. 'It's a reminder of just how high a level Premier League footballers habitually operate at, just how fragile their excellence often is, how quickly a small decline can become a huge one. 'Sterling is only 30, but it's hard to avoid the conclusion that, at the highest level, he is finished. The law of 500 has struck again.'
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Jack Grealish is latest England star caught in football's Neverland as spiralling wages syndrome claims first victims
IF you have ever watched Peter Pan, you will be familiar with the Lost Boys. Little babies who fell out of their prams and were carted off to Neverland, where they live in limbo. 6 6 There is a growing number of Premier League footballers finding themselves in a similar position as the spiralling wages syndrome of recent years starts to claim its first victims. Led by Jack Grealish, players like Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are now without roots and swinging in the wind, without a place to really call home. Grealish is currently trying to plot a way out of Manchester City having been told his services are no longer required. Effectively shoved out of his pushchair by boss Pep Guardiola and told to find somewhere else to live. At present, one of England's most naturally gifted footballers is caught in Neverland. Italian champions Napoli have recognised there is a gem of a player to be had, even if he is surplus to requirements at the Etihad. To be fair, it doesn't take a genius to work out that Grealish is a decent player, just down on his luck and caught in a tricky situation with a boss who doesn't recognise his talents. Yet the problem is the approximate £270,000-per-week wages that he trousers as an accessory to the £100million he commanded when signing from Aston Villa in 2021. 6 BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Back then the British record transfer fee looked to be the catalyst for one of the last great football mavericks to ascend new heights and become a superstar with the character to match. It's now all just fizzling out in a sad demise. Guardiola can claim how much he loves 'Jack' all he likes. But there is only one real love for top-level players — and that is to see their names on the team sheet each week. One minute off the bench in the last game of the season sums it up for the Brummie bad lad everyone adores. It's time to go. But with two years left on his contract, that's roughly £28m in his bin. We hear all that old guff about it's not about money, it's about football, but why should Grealish pay the price for the fact that Guardiola sold him a dream four years ago but couldn't make it come true? So now there is an impasse, and it's not the first time it's happened in the blue part of Manchester. City signed Wayne Bridge from Chelsea in 2009. Picking up around £60,000 a week back then was a decent whack for a player, though not in Grealish's league, even accounting for inflation. The move went t**s up and for the next four years full-back Bridge turned up for work, trained and did his bit but was sent on loan to West Ham, Sunderland and Brighton before finally moving to Championship side Reading. He played barely 40 games for City overall but took his full pay cheque every month. It cost the club around £13m in pay — or just over £3m a game. Numbers associated with top footballers since then have gone fully cosmic. Winger Sterling was signed by Chelsea's new owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali in 2022. Ironically, from Manchester City. He wasn't going to turn down the £300,000 a week being thrust in his hands by the naive Americans. 6 Sterling is now a lost soul. He spent last season sitting on the bench on loan at Arsenal. He is back now and as part of the infamous 'bomb squad' of Z-listers under coach Enzo Maresca, needs to get out to play. But those wages will now just get in the way. For another two years. Good luck finding a Premier League club willing to shell out £15m a year for a forward who scored one goal last season. Ditto for striker Rashford, who will soon report back to Manchester United from his loan spell at Aston Villa amid interest from Newcastle. And for his Red Devils club-mate Sancho — a Champions League finalist in 2024 who Chelsea paid £5m to get off their hands after a year on loan with them. If no compromises can be found, that's four full-blown England internationals stuck in Limboland come the start of the Premier League season on August 16. They'll be able to pay their mortgages — but what a waste for the game as a whole. LAK OF LOGIC SOUTHAMPTON chairman Dragan Solak claims VAR cost former manager Russell Martin his job. Which doesn't really make sense. The Serbian told BBC Radio Solent that some of the baffling decisions that went against his team last winter robbed them of eight points. He said: 'I'm not saying we would stay in the league, but we would have had a much more competitive run and Russell would definitely still be leading the team.' But if the decisions by VAR were the issue, then it can't have been the fault of Martin. So why didn't Southampton's top man recognise that and stick by his coach? Saints have had four different full-time managers since 2022. Just saying . . . 6 EMPTY THREAT THE Club World Cup is at least trying new things. Introducing individual player walk-ons and scrubbing out-of-date traditions, such as crowds in stadiums, are notable innovations. But best of all is the 'most threatening player' caption which appeared in the corner of my TV screen during Real Madrid's limp 1-1 draw with Saudi minnows Al-Hilal on Wednesday. I assume it's meant in terms of attacking players putting pressure on the opposition goal. Of which there wasn't much in this poor excuse for a game. However, it did make me wonder what fun we could have had with such an analytic tool back in the days of Roy Keane and Duncan Ferguson. STICKIN' BOOT IN THE new Premier League fixtures are out, yet two of its biggest teams are still playing competitive games — at the Club World Cup. And when next season finishes we'll roll straight into a World Cup, having seen nine Prem teams compete in expanded European competitions throughout the winter. It's final, depressing proof that football is 24/7, 365 days a year and now the backdrop to everyday life, every day.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to watch LAFC vs. Chelsea in 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Time, TV, streaming
How to watch LAFC vs. Chelsea in 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Time, TV, streaming Show Caption Hide Caption FIFA Club World Cup to feature world's best and here's how they got in USA TODAY Sports experts break down the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup and how all 32 teams made it into the re-vamped club tournament. Sports Seriously LAFC will kick off its 2025 FIFA Club World Cup journey against the English Premier League powerhouse Chelsea on Monday, June 16, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. LAFC's journey to the FIFA Club World Cup was marked by a significant victory over Liga MX's Club América in a playoff match in May. Since earning the bid, LAFC has further bolstered its squad by acquiring star forward Javairo Dilrosun from Club América. He will be on loan to the team until July 24 and will be a key player in the FIFA Club World Cup. On the other side, the London club has made some intriguing changes to its roster for the upcoming tournament. Notable players such as Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Axel Disasi have been left out. In their place, Chelsea has added Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo and former Ipswich Town player Liam Delap to their 28-man squad for the Club World Cup competition. Here is how to watch the highly anticipated match between LAFC and Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup: CLUB WORLD CUP: Full schedule for the 2025 FIFA tournament How to watch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: LAFC vs. Chelsea The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage match between LAFC and Chelsea will take place at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, June 16. Fans can watch the match on TBS and truTV, and also stream it on DAZN. Date: Monday, June 16 Monday, June 16 Time: 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) TV: TBS and truTV TBS and truTV Stream: DAZN DAZN Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZN. Sign up now.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Will Chelsea get their man?
Monday marks the start of the transfer window re-opening, so teams can now do business until 1900 BST on 1 winger Jamie Gittens is known to be a major target after Chelsea's £42m bid was rejected on the first transfer deadline Blues will go away and regroup but are likely to bid again as they need a right-footed left winger in the squad. In terms of outgoings, take your will be busy selling this summer and have to offload Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Djordje Petrovic, Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku and many may also look to add a goalkeeper, if the right opportunity presents itself, after showing interest in AC Milan's Mike Maignan, and a central defensive signing could be made should players such as Trevoh Chalobah be more from around the clubs on the transfer window
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC prediction: Free betting tips and Club World Cup preview
CHELSEA kickstart their Club World Cup campaign with a clash against Los Angeles FC on Monday. SunSport have enlisted the help of their betting experts to preview the game and select the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners. Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC preview Chelsea get their Club World Cup competition up and running on Monday night with a game against LAFC. The Blues finished the season like a train, finishing in the Champions League places and wrapping up European glory by winning the Conference League. And they've been fairly busy in the first transfer window too, signing Mike Penders, centre-back Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo and £30million man Liam Delap all in the squad. However Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi - returning after loans at Arsenal and Aston Villa, respectively - won't be traveling as they look for their futures elsewhere. Chelsea are in the top half dozen in the outright betting markets but will face stiff competition once progressing through Group D. Los Angeles FC came through a play off in dramatic fashion, beating Club America in extra time. An 89th minute equaliser got LAFC back level before a Denis Bouanga goal - assisted by ex-Blues man Olivier Giroud - in the 115th minute secured their spot here. Ex-Spurs man Hugo Lloris is the LAFC goalkeeper, with the side having only formed 11 years ago. Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change. Chelsea vs LAFC predictions Goals aplenty Chelsea are a short price here and will be looking to get off to a thumping start. And in doing so face an LAFC side who have played out three successive 2-2 draws and a 3-3 draw prior to that in their last four games not played at home. There will be goals in this game but the bookies know that with their odds. Have went in search of value. *Midnite. 18+ New UK customers. Bet £10 on accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). Get 4x £5 Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. T&Cs apply. *William Hill. 18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. *Betfred. New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. *Parimatch. 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on football (odds 2.00+) within 7 days. No cash-out. Get 4x£5 Free Bets for set markets and a £10 Slot Bonus for Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, to withdraw max £250. Rewards expire in 20 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. | Please gamble responsibly *BetMGM. New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned T&Cs apply. 18+ *talkSPORT BET. 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. | Please gamble responsibly *Tote. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. One welcome offer per customer. Bet a minimum of £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration to qualify. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 sports Free Bet and 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.
