Raheem Sterling has endured a tough 18 months in the game and his recent debut suggests things could get even harder for the ex-Liverpool forward
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Everton forward Jack Grealish has hit back at social media criticism directed at Raheem Sterling following a difficult debut for Feyenoord. Sterling, 31, made his first appearance of the season for Robin van Persie's side, but failed to make his mark against Eredivisie outfit Telstar.
Van Persie conceded he was not entirely taken aback by the former Chelsea forward's muted debut, given that the ex-England international had spent months training alone in west London. Despite this, it did not prevent scores of social media users from tearing into Sterling's performance.
One post even called for the former Manchester City and Liverpool winger to hang up his boots altogether. Having come across the post, Grealish, who lined up alongside Sterling for both City and the Three Lions, was unable to hold back his fury at the comments being aimed at his former team-mate.
Responding to the post attacking Sterling on Instagram, Grealish wrote: "What a f***ing stupid Instagram post. Man, what's wrong with you guys? [The] Guy hasn't played or trained for so long. People like you guys are what's wrong with the world. Have some respect."
Due to Sterling's work permit to operate in the Netherlands initially being rejected, Van Persie relocated Feyenoord's training to Belgium for one session, to assist with Sterling's integration into the squad. He was subsequently brought on from the bench during Feyenoord's 2-1 triumph, which featured a brace from Anis Hadj-Moussa.
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Following the match, Sterling said: "Haven't played in little bit, but just trying to keep fit. Been with the team now for a little bit, so it's just all on building a step at a time and trying to get to match fitness. Good to start your first game with a win, think that's the most important. [With] the targets that we're chasing, so a good debut."
Prior to the fixture, Van Persie also acknowledged it will require considerable time for Sterling to recover his full match sharpness. The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker said: "Raheem trained last Tuesday, for the first time with the group.
SC Telstar defender Tyrese Noslin and SC Feyenoord Rotterdam forward Raheem Sterling participate in the match SC Feyenoord Rotterdam vs SC Telstar at the Stadium De Kuip for the Dutch Vriendenloterij Eredivisie season 2025-2026 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on February 22, 2026. (Photo by Marcel van Dorst / EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Raheem Sterling had a tough introduction to life at Feyenoord(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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"That was his first time in a group in several months. When you see the choices he makes in small moments, how quickly he thinks and switches, you see that other players also see it and respond to it.
"That's how it works. You also want to show each other that you're good too. That was evident in those training sessions. In my opinion, he's a player of exceptional quality.
"He showed that in those training sessions. I enjoyed seeing that, and so did his teammates. How match-fit are you after not playing for six months? It depends on how he gets through tomorrow. That looks positive.
"But we have to be careful with him. We'll talk to Raheem about that. He needs some time to be able to play 90 minutes. That won't be Sunday and it won't be next week either. But we'll try to get there as soon as possible. We'll do it our way, as quickly as possible, but responsibly and calmly."
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