Raheem Sterling's time at Chelsea has officially come to an end, with the club announcing his departure by mutual agreement on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The 31-year-old winger, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2022 from Manchester City for a reported £47 million, never quite reached the heights expected of him in West London.
Sterling's Chelsea career can be described as underwhelming. Despite flashes of his brilliance, he struggled to replicate the consistent form he displayed during his time with Manchester City, where he won multiple Premier League titles and established himself as one of England's leading wingers. In his three-and-a-half seasons with the Blues, Sterling made 81 appearances, scoring 19 goals and providing 15 assists. After an unsuccessful loan spell at Arsenal during the 2024-25 season, where he "played a bit-part role", Sterling found himself out of favor at Chelsea. Under manager Enzo Maresca, he was relegated to the "bomb squad", training away from the first team. Even with Maresca's departure and Liam Rosenior taking over, Sterling's situation did not improve.
Now a free agent, Sterling is free to join any club. Several clubs have already been linked with the former England international, with possibilities spanning across different leagues.
Here are some potential destinations for Raheem Sterling:
- West Ham: West Ham could be an option for Sterling, particularly if they lose attacking players.
- Crystal Palace: If Sterling prefers to stay in London, Crystal Palace could be a good fit.
- Everton: With Jack Grealish's injury, Everton might look to Sterling to bolster their attack.
- Bayer Leverkusen: The Bundesliga side was reportedly "keeping abreast of developments" regarding Sterling.
- Juventus: The Italian giants were previously mentioned as a "potential target" for Sterling.
- Saudi Pro League: If money is a primary motivator, the Saudi Pro League could be an option.
- Aston Villa: Before he joined Chelsea, Aston Villa had internal discussions about signing Sterling.
Other potential destinations that have been mentioned include Fulham and clubs in the MLS.
Sterling, who was awarded an MBE in 2021, is looking to revive his career after a challenging period. His next move will be crucial in determining whether he can rediscover the form that made him one of the most exciting attacking players in English football.
