OFFICIAL: Raheem Sterling leaves Chelsea after 3.5 wasted years

Raheem Sterling has officially parted ways with Chelsea by mutual agreement, bringing an end to a difficult three-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

The England international departs earlier than planned, closing the chapter on a move that never truly delivered on its early promise.

Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, arriving as a proven Premier League winner expected to be a cornerstone of the club’s new era.

Instead, his time in west London coincided with a turbulent transition period, during which Chelsea struggled for consistency both on and off the pitch.

In total, Sterling made just 59 Premier League appearances for the Blues, starting 45 of those matches and scoring 14 goals.

Far from the explosive winger seen at City, he often looked a shadow of his former self, unable to impose himself regularly or become a reliable attacking outlet in a constantly changing squad.

A loan move to Arsenal was meant to revive Sterling’s career, but that stint also failed to spark a turnaround.

He managed only 17 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, with 10 coming from the bench, and did not score a single league goal during his time in north London.

Upon returning to Chelsea, Sterling found himself frozen out under head coach Enzo Maresca, placed in the club’s so-called “bomb squad” as the Blues looked to offload unwanted players ahead of the 2025/26 season. He never featured for Chelsea again, paving the way for his January exit.

Now, Sterling will look to rebuild his career elsewhere, with hopes of forcing his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a fresh start after a spell that will be remembered as a major disappointment.