Everton held talks with Raheem Sterling in January after his contract was terminated at Chelsea.
It was Alex Crook who claimed that Everton spoke to Sterling shortly after he became a free agent earlier in 2026 – but the England international chose Feyenoord over the Hill Dickinson Stadium in favour of more regular playing time.
Robin van Persie handed the 31-year-old his debut in a 2-1 win over Telstar on Sunday, and his performance proved he was right to turn David Moyes down.
Get your guesses in! Ask for a clue if needed 👀
Nathan Broadhead quiz.
Raheem Sterling display suggests he would have offered Everton very little
As Crook claimed, Sterling chose Feyenoord as his “priority” was to play regularly, having not played a single second of football at Chelsea in the first half of the campaign.
The man from Kingston clearly felt he was not ready to make an immediate impact at Everton after his exile at Stamford Bridge, and a quiet debut for Feyenoord proves that was the correct call for the sake of both himself and Moyes.
Sterling played 29 minutes on Sunday, but there were obvious signs of rustiness.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
As Sofascore shows, the Liverpool academy graduate failed to record a shot or a dribble against Telstar, while taking only 17 touches.
Sterling also lost possession six times, and his one attempted cross was unsuccessful. Furthermore, he failed to win his one attempted tackle – committing a foul – and made only eight passes in his 29 minutes of action.
The Chelsea outcast can be forgiven for this quiet display after what happened at Stamford Bridge, but Everton will surely be pleased he had the self-awareness to leave England for Feyenoord rather than become a burden on the wage bill as he gets his match fitness back up to speed.
Tyrique George deal makes much more sense for Everton
While some Everton fans might have wanted to see the experienced Sterling at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the loan move for Tyrique George is a vastly better deal.
Not only do Everton get a talented 20-year-old with a point to prove for the second half of this season, with European qualification in sight, but there is also an option to buy.
Could we see George as a number nine? 😮
Lee Carsley on Tyrique George.
It means Everton could secure themselves one of England’s best talents for his prime years, instead of taking a player on the way down in Sterling, who would have commanded larger wages as well.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox