Raheem Sterling made his debut for Feyenoord on Sunday evening after being released by Chelsea during the January window, and Robin van Persie had his say.
In January, Sterling left Chelsea after three and a half years on the books. Bought for a little under £50m in the summer of 2022, Sterling had a hand in 34 goals in 81 Chelsea games in his first two seasons.
But his third year saw the beginning of his demise at Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca joined Chelsea in the summer of 2024 and instantly made the decision that Sterling was not going to be a part of his plans.
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Raheem Sterling interview after leaving Chelsea for Feyenoord
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
The England star would be offloaded to Arsenal, where he scored just one goal in 28 games. Then, he was left out of Chelsea’s squad last summer and eventually, he was released before moving to Feyenoord.
Sterling was released 18 months before the end of his Chelsea contract. The decision, according to Christian Purslow, is set to save Chelsea around £10m. It is believed it cost Chelsea around £20m.
Raheem Sterling makes Feyenoord debut.
Photo by Hans van der Valk/BSR Agency/Getty Images
On Sunday, Sterling came off the bench to play for 30 minutes with Feyenoord at home to Eredivisie minnows Telstar. The Dutch giants made it three wins from three, edging past Telstar to secure a 2-1 win.
Sterling didn’t get involved in any of the goals, with all three coming in the first half. But manager Robin van Persie was happy with Sterling, saying: “He was good and threatening. I’m happy with that.”
While van Persie may be happy, and Sterling will have been delighted to just get back on a football pitch professionally after a difficult six months without any games, Dutch media weren’t that impressed.
Former Celtic striker Pierre van Hooijdonk was quoted by Voetbal Primeur as saying that Sterling looked quicker when he last watched him in the Premier League, for Chelsea, City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
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“I’m not going to discount him on his debut. Let me put it this way: the last time I saw him play in the Premier League, he was sharper and looked a bit quicker,” he said. Wim Kieft agreed with the above.
“Whether it’s conscious, that he thinks I can’t push myself because I’m not there yet. I hope not, because then it won’t be of much use to Feyenoord. Or he thinks: just wait and see, take it easy,” Kieft said.
Next up for Sterling and Feyenoord, as he gets back into the groove of playing football, is a tougher clash against FC Twente. Feyenoord sit in second place, but are 14 points behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven.
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