Chelsea get transfer update on 'best player in the world' that will shock fans

Robin Bairner

Updated: 1 May 2024 10:57 BST
4 min read

Raheem Sterling, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea have been told what to expect from Raheem Sterling in the summer window, with transfer news expert Ben Jacobs providing an update that many Blues fans might not have expected.

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Sterling has endured a complicated season at Stamford Bridge. Having been one of Chelsea’s most effective players in 2022/23, he has found game time increasingly difficult to come by in this campaign. Indeed, he has often found himself on the bench lately.

The 29-year-old has six Premier League goals in 28 appearances since Mauricio Pochettino took charge last summer, but five of these game before the end of November.

STATS

Raheem Sterling

AM (RL), F (C)

Chelsea

Raheem Sterling

AM (RL), F (C)

Chelsea

28

Games
6

Goals
4

Assists

This is a long way from the form of an attacker once tipped to become the “best player in the world” by Xavi.

Sterling has been linked with a potential transfer to the Saudi Pro League in the summer, joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and former Blues in the shape of Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, but Jacobs played down these rumours.

“Sterling remains committed to Chelsea, and is settled in London. But as a high earner at the club, it’s natural there will be speculation about a summer exit,” Jacobs told Caught Offside.

“Unless Sterling has a major U-turn, he’s going to resist an exit and try to prove any critics wrong. It hasn’t been an easy spell for him at Chelsea, but staying fit and having a run in the side could yet change all that.

“Links with Saudi, and Al-Hilal specifically, are wide of the mark according to my information. Sterling had a very informal approach from Saudi in summer 2023, but since then there has been no contact.”

Lukaku to leave?

Even if Saudi Arabia cannot provide the answer to Chelsea’s Sterling problem, the Pro League could provide an exit route for another star.

“Chelsea are naturally open to doing more business with Saudi, and away from Sterling, they will gladly sell Romelu Lukaku to a Saudi Pro League club,” Jacobs added.

“Al-Hilal had a €45m offer accepted last summer but Lukaku wanted to stay in Italy. Al-Hilal now have other targets, but keep an eye on both Al-Shabab and soon-to-be promoted Al-Qadsiyah.”

So while Sterling looks like staying with Chelsea, Lukaku, who is on loan at Roma, could well be on his way again.