Raheem Sterling “will be a big failure” at Feyenoord, even if it’s too soon to judge the 31-year-old yet after his departure from Chelsea.
That’s according to analyst Harry van der Laan, relayed by Soccer News. He has made his lack of enthusiasm about the veteran’s arrival in the Netherlands clear.
Sterling joined Feyenoord earlier this month after agreeing to terminate his contract with Chelsea. Enzo Maresca and later Liam Rosenior froze him out at Stamford Bridge.
The plan is to get his career back on track in the Eredivisie between now and the end of the season, before then assessing his options. His time at Stamford Bridge has certainly damaged what was once a strong reputation in English football.
How Chelsea spell drifted away
Raheem Sterling joined the Blues in 2022 in a €47.5m deal from Manchester City as a ‘statement of intent’ from Chelsea’s new owners, Blue Co.
He went on to make just 81 appearances in all competitions, though, with early productivity followed by a sharp decline in standing under successive managers. A loan spell at Arsenal in between failed to revive him either.
Now the focus is on Feyenoord, but Van der Laan is unconvinced. He has predicted that Sterling “will be a big failure” under Robin van Persie. That comes following an unspectacular return in the 2-1 win over Telstar over the weekend.
Why Feyenoord debut disappoints
He came on in the 61st minute but was unable to make much of an impression. Van der Laan does admit “you can’t really judge” on that, though. Indeed, he thinks this game wasn’t an ideal one for the former Chelsea man.
“This was by far the worst match of the season,” he added.
“You play against Telstar, and they wouldn’t be champions in the second division. It’s nothing at all.
“And you play against them, in a packed De Kuip stadium, and you collapse instead of grabbing them by the throat. There are only half-chances, like a difficult header.”