England international, Raheem Sterling claimed he was “wasting time” whilst at City. The new Chelsea forward who moved from Manchester City to Chelsea just a few weeks ago said this while speaking ahead of a London derby against Spurs this weekend.
After seven glory-laden years In Manchester, Sterling wanted a fresh start which helped facilitate his move to Thomas Tuchel’s side for approximately £50m in July.
The Jamaican-born player won four Premier League titles with City including two in a row, five League Cups, and one FA Cup.
At first glance, it seems like a demotion for Raheem Sterling to move from the defending champions of England, on the cusp of making history with three consecutive Premier League titles but the English winger had this to say during his first presser at Cobham on Thursday.
“I couldn’t afford to waste that time, so I needed to keep that same level and a fresh challenge. As a person, you strive to achieve, and I just felt my time at City was getting limited on playing time for different reasons.
“My personality is to try to fight and change the scenario, but it didn’t come and that was it.
“Since I was 17 I’ve been a regular starter, and to get to the peak in my career, not to be playing regularly was something I wouldn’t accept.”
💬 “I just felt my time at City was getting limited, on playing time”
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 11, 2022
Raheem Sterling opens up on his reasons behind leaving Manchester City 👇 pic.twitter.com/rbXt0UB8sx
Not satisfied with his bit-part role off the bench for Pep Guardiola’s side in recent seasons, Raheem Sterling added: “I’ve been in the football game a while now, I’ve got my head on my shoulders and I know exactly what I want from my life and football, so it’s the perfect time to come back and have a new challenge.”
➡️ London
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 11, 2022
➡️ Liverpool
➡️ Manchester
➡️ London
Raheem Sterling on his journey in football. pic.twitter.com/hxLfToBWon
“It does feel like coming home,” he added. “I feel like it’s my full journey – going up to Liverpool and manifesting what I wanted, going to City and living the dream, and now coming back to London as a grown adult.”
🗣 “To get to a peak time of my career, to not playing as a regular. It was something that I wouldn’t accept.”
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 11, 2022
Raheem Sterling says he did try to fight the situation at Manchester City but in the end he was unable to which meant he looked for a transfer away from the club. pic.twitter.com/DWBykrYwI9
This move is a calculated risk for Raheem Sterling with the World Cup on the horizon, he’ll want to cement his place alongside Harry Kane upfront for The Three Lions. A consistent run-in in Chelsea’s starting lineup will boost his confidence which England manager, Southgate will welcome with open arms for one of his key assets for the national team.
Sterling is getting to his peak years as a football player and all signs from his debut press conference, indicate a change in mindset and personality for the winger as he made mention of a new role in that he sees himself as being “…more involved in decisions in the dressing room, to be more vocal, and try to drive the team on.”
🗣 “It made a lot of sense.”
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 11, 2022
Raheem Sterling on why he chose to join Chelsea over the other offers he had. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/ITwb3GKvIt
“Inside the changing room and at the football club, there’s a developing side of me which I’d like to see a lot more,” Raheem Sterling added.
🗣 “To get to a peak time of my career, to not playing as a regular. It was something that I wouldn’t accept.”
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 11, 2022
Raheem Sterling says he did try to fight the situation at Manchester City but in the end he was unable to which meant he looked for a transfer away from the club. pic.twitter.com/DWBykrYwI9
