Nottingham Forest FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling failed to make an impact at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Raheem Sterling needs a ‘fresh challenge’ at another Premier League club after his struggles at Arsenal and Chelsea.
That is the opinion of ex-Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas, who has tipped Sterling to join another top-flight club this summer.
Enzo Maresca brutally banished Sterling from Stamford Bridge last summer and the England international subsequently joined Arsenal on a season-long loan.
The 30-year-old hoped to revive his career under Mikel Arteta but failed to make an impact for Arsenal, scoring just once in 28 appearances.
Sterling struggled for game-time at the Emirates Stadium, with Arteta even reluctant to rely on him during Arsenal’s injury crisis in the second-half of the season.
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While the former Manchester City and Liverpool winger is now set to return to Chelsea, he does not have a future at the club while Maresca is still in charge.
Given his drop-off, it is tricky to nail down a landing spot for Sterling this summer but Gallas has suggested a move to Chelsea’s west London rival Fulham.
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Sterling does not have a future at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Fulham enjoyed another steady season under Marco Silva, finishing 11th in the Premier League and reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
‘I think it’s time for a fresh challenge for Raheem Sterling,’ Gallas told Casino Games. ‘He has the chance to show what he could do at Chelsea and then Arsenal but it hasn’t happened.
‘He needs to go somewhere he will get more opportunities because even with some rotation at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta hasn’t given him that.
‘I think one of Arteta’s biggest mistakes has been a lack of rotation at times because they have picked up injuries.
‘You have to give players a rest at certain times, but with Sterling, he must be frustrated, maybe he will want to stay in the Premier League and in London.
‘He’s 30 now, but maybe a club like Fulham could give him that opportunity and more chances to play. I’m curious to see what happens next.’
Sterling enjoyed the best period of his career at Man City, scoring over 100 goals for the club and lifting four Premier League trophies during his spell at the Etihad Stadium.
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