New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has made it a top priority to hold direct talks with Raheem Sterling, confirming the out-of-favour winger's situation at Stamford Bridge must be addressed immediately.
A Career at a Crossroads
Sterling, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023 for a fee of £47.5 million, finds his career at a critical juncture. The 31-year-old was effectively exiled under previous boss Enzo Maresca, training separately from the first-team squad at different times. This placement in the so-called 'bomb squad' seemed to signal the end of his Blues career.
His loan spell at Arsenal last season failed to reignite his form, with Sterling remaining a peripheral figure at the Emirates. Across 81 appearances for Chelsea, he has managed only 19 goals, a stark contrast to the player who scored 131 times for City and was crowned the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in 2019.
Rosenior's Immediate Priorities
Speaking after his first game in charge—an FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic—Rosenior was frank about his intentions. "I will have conversations with them," he stated, referring to Sterling and fellow sidelined player Axel Disasi. "We're in January, as you know. Raheem's had an outstanding career. I've got huge respect for him."
The new boss, who took over in January 2026, emphasised that his initial focus is on assessing the talent already at the club rather than demanding new signings from the hierarchy, despite the club's vast spending under owner Todd Boehly. "I also think sometimes the answers lie within the building and not outside," Rosenior remarked, indicating a potential lifeline for some discarded players.
Transfer Speculation and a Potential Lifeline
Despite talk of a potential move across London to Fulham, Rosenior's planned intervention could offer Sterling a unexpected route back into contention. The manager stressed the urgency of the situation, noting he is "literally have got to work through a list of priorities" and will speak to the players and the club "in the next few days."
For now, the future of one of English football's most decorated modern wingers rests on the outcome of these promised discussions at Cobham. Chelsea fans will be watching closely to see if Rosenior can unlock the version of Sterling that once terrorised Premier League defences, or if a January departure becomes inevitable.
