Ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given has admitted that selling Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling to rivals Chelsea could ‘come back and bite them’, but also claimed ‘it might fit well for both clubs.’
Raheem Sterling joined Manchester City from Liverpool in 2015 and has been one of the best players at the club. The English winger has scored 131 goals in 339 appearances for Manchester City, and a total of 4 English Premier League titles in the last five years.
His goal tally puts him behind Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero as the players who have scored the most goals under Pep Guardiola.
However, Sterling has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea this summer and the deal could be finalized this week.
Speaking to TalkSPORT recently, Shay Given said: ‘Sterling is a top player, but for whatever reason, in the last 12 or 18 months he and Pep, have not fallen out, but he’s just not started every game.
‘Sterling is a player that strikes me that would not be happy coming off the bench and be a bit part player in the last six or seven months.’
Chelsea have already sent an official proposal to Raphinha and his agent Deco to discuss personal terms as Boehly wants to be fast to avoid problems. Work in progress. 🚨🔵 #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2022
Chelsea will also send new bid to Manchester City for Raheem Sterling – Tuchel wants two wingers. pic.twitter.com/Evjc5UvWSO
The 27-year-old winger played 30 of a possible 38 league games last season, which was his lowest appearance tally since joining City from Liverpool. But he played an integral role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team to win the English Premier League last season.
Sterling assisted Gundogan’s first goal in the final day 3-2 drama against Aston Villa. On Sterling’s rumored move to Chelsea, Given said: ‘Will he come back and bite Pep, maybe? That’s the thing from a City point of view, do you think he will come back and score a goal towards the end of the season that wins the league for Chelsea.
‘He’s a top player, but with 12 months left £50million is still a lot of money. With the Financial Fair Play, City have to balance the books and they are still trying to bring in players as well. It might fit well for both clubs.’
Manchester City have earlier announced the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and this means Sterling’s goals may not be needed again.
Man City striker Gabriel Jesus is also set to join Arsenal and has already passed his medical with that London club thereby putting pressure on Erling Haaland to start delivering goals at Etihad. City have also signed Julian Alvarez from River Plate and he’s expected to compete with Haaland for the central forward position.
