A Premier League star is struggling for game time after reportedly rejected a £900,000-per-week offer to play in Saudi Arabia.
Several household names left Premier League clubs last summer to go and play in Saudi Arabia, including Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Aymeric Laporte.
Chelsea did plenty of business with Saudi Pro League clubs, with Edouard Mendy, N'Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly all leaving Stamford Bridge for the riches of the Gulf State.
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One of their former Chelsea teammates might regret not joining them.
In many ways, Raheem Sterling's struggles at Chelsea over the last 18 months sums up the position the club currently finds itself in.
The England international has failed to impress since making a £50 million move from Manchester City in 2022, both in terms of performances and leadership.
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This season the 29-year-old has attracted criticism from his own supporters, and has been jeered off the pitch in a number of games.
After fans cheered his withdrawal from the pitch during Chelsea's 4-2 defeat to Wolves last month, Sterling has started his side's last two games on the bench.
With Chelsea 10th in the Premier League table, Sterling is undoubtedly experiencing one of the toughest periods of his career. Things could have been different though.
According to The Telegraph, Sterling could have left Mauricio Pochettino's side last summer. An unnamed Saudi Pro League side offered Sterling a £900,000-per-week contract, a deal that would have made him one of the league's top three earners.
However, Chelsea's highest paid star - Sterling earns £300,000-per-week - decided to stay in West London as he felt he could turn things around at Stamford Bridge.
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Sterling was committed to the cause; last summer he hired a performance coach and spent time at Harlequins rugby club and Camberley Judo Club to improve his fitness.
He has shown his true quality in flashes this term, particularly in Chelsea's 4-4 draw with his former employers City in November.
On Saturday he will return to the Etihad Stadium when City host Chelsea, perhaps wondering what could have been had he either stayed at the champions in 2022, or moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Chelsea, Raheem Sterling, Mauricio Pochettino, Premier League, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia, Manchester City, Football, Transfers