English ace Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal on a season-long loan deal on the deadline day after London rivals Chelsea informed the player that he is no longer part of their plans.
The 29-year-old was one of the high-profile players who was training away from the senior squad with the U21s, and if not a move, he could have faced the worst nightmare of playing no football in the new season.
Sterling got a call from the Gunners, who rescued him from a severe downfall at the Stamford Bridge. But how did this deal affect Chelsea going forward? Will Sterling add to Enza Maresca’s misery by putting up a title-winning display for Arteta this season?
Here are the four reasons we believe could best describe the West Londoners’s mistake in selling their prime asset.
1. Chelsea creating an unsustainable environment under Clear Lake Capital.
The Blues’ summer transfer window was nothing short of a disaster for them. After making waves by signing youngsters from all around the world, they were unable to handle an overly bloated squad.
New manager Maresca agreed to the fact that he has work to do in order to manage his new squad and might let a few players leave. But does that give them the right to sacrifice players who are actually more valuable to them?
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Keeping Mykhailo Mudryk and selling Sterling doesn’t make sense to us. The latter is in the top 19 in the Premier League’s all-time goal scoring chart. You have to show some respect to a player who delivered an insane number of goals at Manchester City.
3⃣4⃣ Apps…
1⃣7⃣ Goals…
1⃣0⃣ Assists…
@sterling7 has been on absolute 🔥🔥🔥 in the @premierleague!Congrats from everyone at #Colossal. 👏 pic.twitter.com/svFhd6a3KQ
— Colossal Sports MGT (@ColossalSportsM) May 12, 2019
Chelsea didn’t care about those numbers; it was the management’s call, and Maresca couldn’t take his stand either. In the end, they allowed senior stars like Conor Gallagher and Sterling to leave and keep Mudryk in the starting XI. Plus, they have strengthened their London rivals by selling the talented winger.
How often did we see the West Londoners making a similar mistake in the past? They were left red-faced when Man City’s Mateo Kovacic ran past their costliest and so-called ‘new generation’ midfield to score a banger and win the game for the Citizens in their opening league game this season.
You sow what you reap, and Chelsea are reaping pure humiliation here. They preferred to go from the top trio of Jorginho (sold to Arsenal again), N’Golo Kante, and Kovacic to Enzo Fernandes, Moises Caicedo, and Romeo Lavia.
Just bang average players at this stage, and if they don’t prove themselves, then they will be left ruining their decisions in the future.
2. Arsenal bulking up by getting an experienced star.
Arteta has to thank the management for striking gold with this move. Sterling replacing Reiss Nelson is a good deal for the Gunners. Kroenke and Edu have done a commendable job.
Sterling’s versatility is an asset, and that could help ease the burden on their academy graduate, Bukayo Saka. The league is just not ready to see the former Liverpool star taking opponents by force under a manager he loves working with.
Sterling was Chelsea’s 3rd highest goal scorer last season. He will get the best chance to provide goals from upfront, wide attack, and even midfield.
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The idea of describing the 29-year-old as a finished product is criminal; he is more fit than ever and can play at his highest level. We believe he will be decisive in helping the North London outfit bridge the minor gap between them and the defending PL champions, Manchester City.
3. The Blues’ hand Arsenal a financial boost in this transfer.
Maresca and Chelsea’s last-minute approach meant it was almost impossible for the parent club to command a fee. It put them in such a difficult spot, which now means they’re paying Arsenal to have him.
Although they will brag about the £300k per week they saved, they are still paying 50% of the player’s wages. The Gunners could pay only £6 million, and that is shrewd business.
“Chelsea are paying Arsenal £10 million to play Raheem Sterling.”
ESPN’s @JamesOlley gives the inside story on Raheem Sterling’s loan move to Arsenal 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/rmCUF1RP5x
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 4, 2024
Meanwhile, the Blues have kicked the problem 12 months down the line. The attacker’s contract expires next year, and that will leave them in a difficult spot yet again. They will hope that the player performs well and other suitors take notice.
4. Sterling hungry to prove Chelsea’s biggest mistake.
The English ace played under six different managers at Stamford Bridge since moving in 2022. It is harsh to judge his performance based on the past two seasons.
Even if that constant upheaval affected his confidence going forward, he still managed to make 21 goal contributions last season.
Sterling is a victim of playing on a team with a style that doesn’t suit him. His movement in the box is second to none, a skill that Arsenal values highly and will put to good use, so we have no doubt his output will increase at the Emirates.
The English star will be hungry to expose Maresca and the new owners’ incompetence. He reported to training early at Chelsea but didn’t get any credit.
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However, Arteta loves hard-working players, and he won’t let it go unnoticed. It’s time for the world-class mercenary to enjoy playing football once again at the Emirates Stadium.
