‘A shadow of the player’: One-time Arsenal transfer target Raheem Sterling slammed at Chelsea

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Glenn Hoddle says one-time Arsenal transfer target and Chelsea star Raheem Sterling is now a ’shadow’ of the player he once was at Manchester City.

On Tuesday night, Arsenal secured a comfortable 3-1 win over toothless and morale-sapped Chelsea, with Raheem Sterling starting the game.

The England International only lasted 70 minutes and he failed to make an impact, with Mykhailo Mudryk doing more during his 20 minutes on the pitch – the Arsenal fans made their feelings clear towards the player. 

Nonetheless, in the summer, there were suggestions that Arsenal were keen to bring Sterling to the club – as reported by the Daily Star in January 2022.

Whilst Mikel Arteta did reunite with two of his former players – Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko – it was a £48 million transfer (Sky Sports) to Stamford Bridge for Sterling, instead.

Well, it’s proven to be a nightmare move so far for the 28-year-old, who Hoddle thinks has fallen off track, as he told Premier League Productions (02/05/23 at 10:00 PM). 

“Sterling, a shadow of the player at Manchester City,” said Hoddle. “There are so many players that are underachieving.

“You can pass the ball poorly. You can have a better system or team. But you have got to give 100%. You have to give everything.

“I am not seeing that. I am not seeing them going that bit extra. That extra bit of running. The tracking back, like we said with Sterling for the second goal, not just Sterling, everyone, no pressure on the ball. Those things are given as a professional in this league, if not, you get found out.”

STERLING HAS LOST HIS WAY

Just like the rest of his Chelsea teammates – and there are many of them – Sterling has lost his way.

Some Manchester City fans might be telling the player that the ‘grass isn’t always greener on the other side’ after he left the Etihad to earn more minutes.

Well, he is now in and out of a side that can, if they continue down their current ways, finish as low as 15th this season, whilst Manchester City push for the treble.