Raheem Sterling has revealed why he joined Chelsea this summer, stating that he was unable to tolerate not being a guaranteed starter at Manchester City during his best years. Sterling’s remarkable seven-year stint at the Etihad Stadium came to an end this summer, with the forward winning every award available to him except the Champions League during his stint with City.
However, under Pep Guardiola, the England international has fallen down the pecking order after formerly being one of the first names on the squad sheet.
Sterling joined Chelsea in July for £47.5 million ($57m), and he has already made his debut, starting in the Blues’ 1-0 away win over Everton on the first day of the Premier League season.
Why Did Sterling Decide To Leave Manchester City?
Sterling addressed why he felt the need to leave City during a press conference to celebrate his arrival in west London.
Join us from Cobham for Raheem’s first presser in Blue! https://t.co/LXFPDKjBxY
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 11, 2022
“I just felt my time at City was getting limited on playing time for different reasons. I couldn’t afford to waste more time. When I look back in the future, I didn’t want to see a rise and then a decline. A fresh challenge was to be made,” he said.
“Since 17, I’ve been regularly starting. When getting to a peak time, not playing as regular, wasn’t something I would accept. I always try to fight and change the scenario. But it didn’t come and that was it.”
See Also: Chelsea Begin Talks To Sign Aubameyang
Why Chelsea Is A Good Option For Sterling?
“With the options I had, it was one that was tailor fitted for my own aspirations, family, and the direction the club is moving in,” he explained.
“You look at Chelsea the past couple of years I think it’s four or five finals they’ve been in. It’s a team who shows they are competing and they’re only going to get better. With the new ownership it made a lot of sense.”
“My full journey going up to Liverpool manifesting what I wanted, then City living the dream, and coming back to London as a grown adult. I’ve got my head on my shoulders, I know exactly what I want from life and football. It’s a perfect time to have a new challenge.”
COMMENTS