{"id":494,"date":"2026-08-05T21:15:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T21:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=494"},"modified":"2026-08-05T21:15:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T21:15:15","slug":"raheem-sterling-will-be-really-confused-by-what-he-is-seeing-at-chelsea-under-xabi-alonso","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=494","title":{"rendered":"Raheem Sterling will be really confused by what he is seeing at Chelsea under Xabi Alonso"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-379829\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\"> <a class=\"fw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=thechelseachronicle.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Former Chelsea star Raheem Sterling will be wondering why he didn\u2019t get more of a chance at Stamford Bridge as the club continue their quest to sign experienced players for Xabi Alonso.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/tag\/raheem-sterling\/\">Sterling\u2019s<\/a> career has so far not recovered since leaving <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/club\/stadium\/\">Stamford Bridge<\/a>, with a loan spell at Arsenal and short stint at Feyenoord not working out.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/raheem-sterling-told-to-retire-less-than-two-months-after-leaving-chelsea\/\">The England winger was even told to retire by a Feyenoord legend<\/a> following his dismal impact for them, and he is so far yet to sign for a new club.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"2d65cfa2-5d7a-4475-8f0d-4838ed7b79f3\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Thoughts after another pre-season defeat under Xabi Alonso?\ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/player-ratings-5-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Chelsea player ratings vs Juventus\" class=\"wp-image-379860\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/player-ratings-5-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/player-ratings-5-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/player-ratings-5-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/player-ratings-5-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/player-ratings-5-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/player-ratings-5.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"HONG KONG, CHINA - AUGUST 05: Moises Caicedo of Chelsea runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea and Juventus at Kai Tak Sports Park on August 05, 2026 in Hong Kong, China.  (Photo by Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)\">Photo by Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-raheem-sterling-will-be-confused-at-chelsea-s-new-transfer-policy\">Raheem Sterling will be confused at Chelsea\u2019s new transfer policy<\/h2>\n<p>He will be hoping a side takes a chance on how important his experience at the top level can be, similar to how Chelsea have done with signing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/tag\/jordan-henderson\/\">Jordan Henderson<\/a> and Danny Welbeck.<\/p>\n<p>Sterling fell victim when he was at Stamford Bridge of the club\u2019s obsession to sign young players, and this occurred in the wide areas. Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk were preferred as left wing options by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/tag\/enzo-maresca\/\">Enzo Maresca<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-getty-images-media\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2274350615-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Fortuna Sittard v Feyenoord Rotterdam - Eredivisie\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2274350615-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2274350615-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2274350615-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2274350615-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2274350615-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2274350615-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"SITTARD, NETHERLANDS - MAY 3: Raheem Sterling of Feyenoord Rotterdam looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Fortuna Sittard and Feyenoord Rotterdam at Fortuna Sittard Stadion on May 3, 2026 in Sittard, Netherlands. (Photo by Gabriel Calvino Alonso\/BSR Agency\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Gabriel Calvino Alonso\/BSR Agency\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/club\/\">Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> newfound desire to add Premier League experience to their ranks will confuse Sterling, who in another world would be the perfect candidate of player they are looking to sign this summer, four years after his initial addition.<\/p>\n<p>The treatment of Sterling was something very rarely seen for experienced professionals, especially one who already had 100 Premier League goals under his belt.<\/p>\n<p>This came under Maresca\u2019s tenure, although his contract had been terminated before the new permanent manager for 2026\/27 had taken over.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"4da46ddb-9705-4298-a627-4554a595fc78\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Who do you prefer, Jordan Henderson or Granit Xhaka?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Def-midfield-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Split image - Chelsea unveil new signing Jordan Henderson and Granit Xhaka of Sunderland applauds\" class=\"wp-image-379639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Def-midfield-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Def-midfield-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Def-midfield-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Def-midfield-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Def-midfield-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Def-midfield.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The request for experience in West London has seemed to come directly from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/tag\/xabi-alonso\/\">Alonso<\/a>, who will have noticed what was missing from the squad before accepting the deal to take over.<\/p>\n<p>Reports have stated that the Blues may not be done in terms of signing experienced players either. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/chelsea-are-interested-in-signing-a-player-who-antonio-conte-described-as-amazing\/\">They have been linked with Nick Pope as the new third-choice goalkeeper<\/a> behind Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders.<\/p>\n<p>Sterling will be left wondering why the club were so rash with their treatment of him, given the fact he is the exact profile they are looking to add to their side in 2026.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/columnist\/raheem-sterling-will-be-really-confused-by-what-he-is-seeing-at-chelsea-under-xabi-alonso\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let 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\/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/columnist\/raheem-sterling-will-be-really-confused-by-what-he-is-seeing-at-chelsea-under-xabi-alonso\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Former Chelsea star Raheem Sterling will be wondering why&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=494"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}