Raheem Sterling’s eventful loan spell at Arsenal has come to an end, and the England international is now officially back at Chelsea. But his return to Stamford Bridge has sparked more questions than answers—particularly over his place in new manager Enzo Maresca’s plans.
After a single season at the Emirates, where Sterling offered flashes of his trademark pace and experience, Arsenal have opted not to make the move permanent. Despite moments of influence—especially in key Premier League matches and domestic cup ties—the 29-year-old struggled for consistent minutes under Mikel Arteta, who increasingly turned to younger options such as Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the flanks.
Sterling joined Arsenal on loan last summer after falling out of favor at Chelsea, with then-manager Mauricio Pochettino looking to revamp the squad with more dynamic and younger wingers. His move to North London was seen as a fresh opportunity to rejuvenate a career that had started to stall.
Though not a failure, Sterling’s loan spell was hardly transformative. He finished the season with 6 goals and 5 assists across all competitions—decent, but not outstanding for a player once considered among the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards. While he brought experience and work rate, Sterling at times appeared to be out of sync with Arsenal’s intricate attacking patterns. And with no clear guarantee of a long-term role, Arteta and the club ultimately chose not to pursue a permanent transfer.
Now, with the new season approaching, Sterling returns to Chelsea—yet his future remains shrouded in uncertainty. The arrival of Enzo Maresca, fresh from guiding Leicester City to promotion, marks another new chapter for the Blues. Maresca is known for his structured, possession-based style of play, heavily influenced by his time working under Pep Guardiola. Whether Sterling fits into that system is a major unknown.
Reports indicate that Maresca is open to evaluating all players in preseason before making final decisions, but sources close to the club suggest Sterling is not a key part of his tactical vision moving forward. Chelsea’s wide positions are crowded with the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, and even Christopher Nkunku able to play on the flanks, leaving Sterling in a precarious spot.
Sterling’s high wages, believed to be among the top earners at Chelsea, further complicate matters. While the club would be open to offloading the veteran forward to free up room for new signings, finding suitors willing to match his salary and expectations could prove difficult. A second loan move is not off the table, with interest reportedly coming from clubs in Saudi Arabia, Major League Soccer, and a few European sides in need of attacking experience.
Still, some believe Sterling could yet play a role under Maresca if he adapts quickly. His previous experience under Guardiola at Manchester City—where he thrived in a system similar to what Maresca is expected to implement—could be an asset. If the new Chelsea boss sees Sterling as someone who can provide leadership and tactical discipline in a youthful squad, there might be a route back into contention.
Sterling himself has remained tight-lipped about his future, though insiders suggest he is determined to fight for his place and prove his worth. Having been left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, the winger is reportedly using the summer to refocus and return to preseason in peak condition.
There is also a broader question looming: what does Sterling’s situation say about Chelsea’s wider strategy? The club’s aggressive spending in recent windows has created a bloated squad, with several experienced players on the fringes. Sterling’s limbo serves as a reminder that not all big-money signings yield long-term results, and Maresca’s success may hinge on how effectively he can trim the squad and build a cohesive core.
As Chelsea prepare for a fresh start under yet another manager, the return of Raheem Sterling is a subplot that will draw interest—whether as a redemption story, a transfer saga, or a quiet exit in the coming weeks. For now, Sterling is back in blue. Whether that remains the case by the end of the summer, however, is ver
y much up in the air.
