Just a few years ago, Raheem Sterling was one of the biggest stars in English soccer. At the 2020 European Championship (played in 2021 because of COVID delays), he was England’s hero. He scored important goals, including the opener against Germany, and was considered one of the best players in the entire tournament. Fans thought he could help take the Three Lions to their first major trophy since 1966.
But fast forward to today, and the story looks completely different. Raheem Sterling is now 30 years old, stuck at Chelsea, and struggling to find a way out. Once seen as a player every big team wanted, he’s now a player that most top clubs in England are avoiding. What happened to one of England’s brightest stars? Let’s break it down.
No Transfer Takers This Summer
The 2025 summer transfer window just closed, and Raheem Sterling didn’t get a move. Despite having all summer to look for a new club, no team came forward with a serious offer.
Last year, he had a last-minute loan to Arsenal, which gave him some excitement at first. But it didn’t work out. He scored just one goal in all competitions for the Gunners. With leagues in Saudi Arabia and Turkey still open, he could move there, but insiders say it’s unlikely he’d want that. He seems determined to stay in Europe, even if it means waiting until January.
Raheem Sterling’s Club Career in Numbers
Raheem Sterling’s numbers tell part of the story. Since his breakthrough at Liverpool in the 2014/15 season, he has played 499 club games, scored 162 goals, and given 98 assists. Those are really good career totals.
But his recent record is poor. At Chelsea, he has scored only 19 goals across two full seasons. At Arsenal, just one goal. For a forward who once hit double digits every season at Manchester City, that’s a massive drop-off.
Even his shooting tells a sad story:
58 shots on target in three years
28 big chances missed
Best shot conversion rate: only 21.6%
For comparison, Erling Haaland’s conversion rate is often above 30% in the Premier League. That’s a big difference.
A Player Losing His Edge
What’s gone wrong? One answer is confidence. Raheem Sterling used to be fearless, running past defenders with pace and skill. But in the last three seasons (2022/23 to 2024/25), he has only attempted 88 dribbles and delivered just 22 through balls. That’s very low for a winger who was once known for attacking runs.
Worse, stats show he hasn’t completed a single pass when under heavy pressure during this time. It shows that maybe he doesn’t trust himself to take risks anymore.
Training Alone at Chelsea
This summer, Chelsea even told Raheem Sterling to train away from the main group. That usually means a club doesn’t see a player in its future plans. For any soccer star, training alone is a lonely, frustrating situation.
Chelsea might want him gone, but moving him is difficult. His high salary, low form, and falling reputation mean top clubs aren’t willing to gamble. A loan deal might happen in January, but it depends if Raheem Sterling is ready to accept a smaller club.
England Career Already Over?
Raheem Sterling’s national team career also shows how far he has slipped. He used to be a starter for Gareth Southgate’s England, scoring 20 goals in 82 games for his country. But he hasn’t been called up for a long time. Younger stars like Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer have taken his place.
At just 30, that feels early to be done with international soccer, but unless he finds form, it looks like his England career is finished.
Soccer Facts to Think About
Here are some quick soccer facts that connect to Raheem Sterling’s situation:
The average career peak for attacking players is between 26–29 years old. Raheem Sterling is now 30, which means he’s entering the decline years unless he reinvents himself.
At Manchester City, he scored 131 goals in 7 years under Pep Guardiola. That’s where he had his best moments.
Since leaving City, he has scored fewer than 20 goals in almost three years combined. That’s a dramatic fall.
Chelsea as a club have struggled too. They finished 12th in the 2022/23 Premier League, and many players failed there. Raheem Sterling’s struggles are part of a bigger problem at Stamford Bridge.
Combo of Soccer News: Where Could He Go?
If Raheem Sterling accepts that he needs to take a step down, several clubs might make sense:
West Ham United – They love experienced Premier League players and could use another wide attacker.
Crystal Palace – A team that relies on fast wingers and counter-attacks. Raheem Sterling could fit.
A move abroad – Teams in Italy or Spain sometimes revive English players’ careers. Look at Jadon Sancho going on loan to Dortmund or Chris Smalling succeeding at Roma.
MLS or Saudi Arabia – Leagues with money and less pressure, but Raheem Sterling may feel it’s too early.
The key is that he might need to swallow his pride. Taking a “smaller” club now could actually help him find form again.
Lessons from Other Players
Raheem Sterling isn’t the first player to lose form at 30. Here are some examples:
Gareth Bale – Left Real Madrid, struggled at Spurs, then revived himself with a final move to LAFC in MLS.
Alexis Sánchez – Looked finished at Manchester United, but found new life in Serie A with Inter Milan.
Jamie Vardy – Proved that even in his 30s, you can still shine, but only by adapting your game.
Raheem Sterling could learn from these players. If he accepts that he’s not the same explosive winger, maybe he can become more of a clever passer or inside forward.
The Road Ahead
Right now, Raheem Sterling’s career is at a crossroads. He has two years left on his Chelsea contract, but if he just sits and waits, he’ll probably fade further into the background. If he chooses to take a risk—accept a loan, a lower team, or even go abroad—he might find joy in soccer again.
Fans still remember the Raheem Sterling who was England’s hero against Germany in 2021. The question is: can he find that spark again? Or will he become another “what could have been” story in English soccer?
Final Thought
Raheem Sterling doesn’t need to prove he was once great—his stats and medals show that. But soccer is a game about the present, not the past. If he wants to play regularly, score goals, and maybe even return to the England squad, he has to make a tough choice soon. Sometimes, taking a step down is the only way to move forward.
