The summer transfer window is behind us and the 2025–26 season is well underway. Although things could have turned out better for Chelsea in some aspects, there’s really not much to complain about overall, apart from the club failing to offload some of the players who are no longer in Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Raheem Sterling certainly falls under this category. The Blues failed to find a new club for the player before the deadline and now have him for at least the next four months until the transfer window reopens in January.
Some might point out the fact that a transfer to leagues from Saudi Arabia or Turkey is still possible. But that does not fit Sterling's own plans, as he seems intent on staying in London.
During the summer, three London clubs were interested in the player. However, no agreement was reached in time. Now, as reported by GIVEMESPORT, Sterling is willing to wait for his next option and has no plans to join either the Saudi or Turkish league. A mutual termination, allowing him to enter the free agency market, is currently viewed as unlikely as well.
Chelsea fans won't be happy with Raheem Sterling's bold decision
Sterling, for the time being, is expected to remain at Cobham, being part of the group who are no longer in the club's future plans. That comprises others like Axel Disasi and David Datro Fofana.
It isn’t an ideal situation for either the club or the player. On one hand, Sterling has a reported salary of £300,000 per week. On the other hand, six months away from first-team football isn’t something any footballer would want and it is not going to make it easier to find his next club.
Then again, it doesn’t make sense for Sterling, who is currently 30 years old, to want to become a free agent when his form has been dipping. Chelsea are the ones who have made a mistake here, handing out an extraordinary contract.
Anyway, what’s done is done and there is no point dwelling on it for too long. The club must prioritise the departure of Sterling in the winter transfer window. For the time being, the club must focus on their on-field performance.