In a scathing critique, Feyenoord icon Willem van Hanegem has suggested former Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling trade his boots for board shorts following a lacklustre showing against Ajax.
Raheem Sterling’s time at Chelsea effectively ended in May 2024, followed by a season of total displacement. After an underwhelming loan at Arsenal, where he scored just once in 28 games, he returned to a bomb squad that further halted his career.
Under Enzo Maresca, Sterling was stripped of his squad number and forced to train in a separate building at a different time than the first team. This standoff lasted until January 2026, when he finally reached a mutual agreement to terminate his £325,000-a-week contract.
He joined Feyenoord as a free agent in February, reuniting with manager Robin van Persie. However, his transition to the Eredivisie has been difficult; he clearly lacking match fitness after nine months sidelined.
Which defender or midfielder do you think would make the best Chelsea striker?🤔
Cole Palmer picks Marc Cucurella as a striker
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Feyenoord legend tells Raheem Sterling to hang up his boots
Willem van Hanegem has advised Sterling to quit football and go to Ibiza after his disastrous performance against Ajax, speaking on the Willem & Wessel podcast.
“He just wasn’t there again, no. If I were them [Feyenoord], I would ask for my money back and say: just go home. He used to be a good player; he was still fit and fast, but that’s about it. If he bumps into you, he falls over. Isn’t that crazy?
“He should just go to Robin van Persie and say: let’s stop this. This isn’t going to work. This isn’t good for me, for you, or for the club. You’re not really helping anyone with this.
“He should just go to Ibiza, put on his swimming trunks, and eat a delicious paella with his wife.”
How many points will we pick up here?
And will it be enough to save Liam Rosenior’s job?
Raheem Sterling’s stats in Feyenoord’s draw with Ajax
Since joining Feyenoord as a free agent, Raheem Sterling has struggled to find his rhythm. In five Eredivisie appearances under Robin van Persie, he has registered one assist but no goals.
Raheem Sterling played 55 minutes against Ajax. He was dispossessed three times, had just one shot in the opposition’s box, and one of two successful dribbles, completed just 12 of 16 passes, had just 25 touches, made two recoveries, and won two out of eight duels (FotMob).
When you consider the fact that Sterling took a swipe at the treatment he received at Chelsea, it doesn’t look as if he’s doing his new club any favours.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox