Raheem Sterling’s future at Chelsea is uncertain with the summer transfer window around the corner and talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent believes the winger is no longer good enough to play for a “Top Six” team.
The Englishman joined the Blues from Man City in 2022 as part of a £50m deal following a very successful spell at the Etihad Stadium – where he won four Premier League titles.
Given his credentials, Chelsea fans were excited about the signing of Sterling but things have not gone to plan for the Blues, which is the case for many of their recent signings.
The winger has struggled in a team that was not built properly and has already had four different coaches at Stamford Bridge, which has certainly played a role in the 29-year-old not producing his best football.
This campaign has been a disaster for Chelsea and Sterling has played his role in that. Mauricio Pochettino has dropped the winger from his starting 11 for recent games and his future in West London is now in doubt.
Speaking about where the England star could go next, former Premier League footballer Darren Bent believes that the 29-year-old is no longer good enough to play with a “Top Six” club and will have to drop down a level if he wants to remain in England’s top flight.
Darren Bent can’t see Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling joining “Top Six” club
Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent was pressed by co-host Andy Goldstein at what level of team Sterling could join if he left Chelsea this summer.
“He might be there for a while, but I still think there are a number of teams in the Premier League that would take him,” the former Premier League star said.
“He’s not going to go to Arsenal or Liverpool – he was there – he’s not going to City – he was there, I’m not even sure [Aston] Villa would take him.
“So I’m looking, where does he start? What level does he go in and start straight away?
“Wolves maybe on the left potentially he would start, but I’m not disrespecting Wolves here, they’ve got some good players.”
When asked by Goldstein whether his days of starting for a “Top Six” side are over, Bent stated: “I wouldn’t say his days are gone, but right now, I can’t see that happening.”
Sterling could still offer a lot ot a Premier League team but as Bent says, a move to one of the “Big Six” clubs is very unlikely.
A club like Newcastle would be a great place for the winger to play his football next as he could give Eddie Howe’s squad some experience and be a replacement for Miguel Almiron who looks set to leave St James’ Park this summer amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
Please 🙏🙏 why don’t u give him a chance