Everton tried – but failed – to sign Raheem Sterling back in February.
TalkSPORT claimed that David Moyes spoke to Sterling about a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium after the England international was released by Chelsea.
However, the 31-year-old opted to link up with Robin van Persie at Feyenoord on a deal until the end of the season, as he felt the Dutch side could offer him a greater amount of playing time.
Sterling has since made five appearances totalling 256 minutes in the Eredivisie – three of which have come as starts – but Feyenoord legend Willem van Hanegem has now told the man born in Kingston to hang up his boots due to a string of poor performances.
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Jack Grealish in action for Everton
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Everton appear to have dodged a bullet as Raheem Sterling told to quit at Feyenoord
The former QPR star deserves patience after not playing a single second of football in the first half of the campaign at Chelsea, but Van Hanegem is having none of it.
The man who made 372 appearances for Feyenoord – scoring 107 goals and providing 97 assists – told the Willem & Wessel podcast: “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.
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“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.”
After just five appearances for Feyenoord, following a period in exile at Chelsea, that is very harsh.
Sterling was even criticised after his first display for the Eredivisie side, which led Jack Grealish to defend his fellow England international.
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Ivan Toney of Al Ahli celebrates after scoring the 2nd goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ahli and Al Nassr
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Football is a brutal sport which offers little patience to players – especially those with a high profile like Sterling – but he deserves more time to rediscover his best form after horrid treatment at Chelsea.
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