Raheem Sterling makes honest admission after first game for Feyenoord

In the aftermath of his much-anticipated Feyenoord debut, Raheem Sterling was asked if he had been in contact with England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Sterling played his first competitive game since May 2025 on Sunday, when he came off the bench for Feyenoord in their Eredivisie clash against Telstar.

The 31-year-old, who has signed a deal until the end of the season after agreeing to terminate his contract at Chelsea, replaced full-back Gijs Smal in the 61st minute of Feyenoord's 2-1 win at De Kuip.

"I haven't played for a little bit but I have been trying to keep fit, I am building one step at a time and trying to get to match fitness," he told ESPN after the game.

Ahead of the game, Sterling's last appearance came at Arsenal, on loan from Chelsea, in a clash against Southampton on May 25, 2025.

🚨 Raheem Sterling makes his debut for Feyenoord under his new manager Robin van Persie. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇳🇱🌟

Just listen to the crowd's reaction. This might be EXACTLY what he needs to get back to his best. 😅 pic.twitter.com/NmU4tFTijC

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) February 23, 2026

Earlier this month, Sterling revealed that he had spoken to other clubs before deciding that Feyenoord was a place where he “can be happy” and “establish himself” after struggling towards the end of his time at Chelsea.

Following his arrival this month, Sterling watched from the stands amid work permit issues.

Feyenoord have since held training sessions in Belgium, where the same rules do not apply, to introduce Sterling to the squad.

"The trip to Belgium was one for myself, a very good one to get integrated with the boys and know your team-mates," he said on Sunday. "I am here for a new experience, a new challenge. It's now maintaining that consistency and reaching our targets."

As well as speaking about his start to life at Feyenoord, Sterling was asked if he had been in contact with England manager Thomas Tuchel.

"I haven't spoken with him," Sterling said. "Just keep playing football, that's what's most important."

Sterling's last appearance for England came at the 2022 World Cup, when he featured in a quarter-final defeat to France.

What has Thomas Tuchel said about Raheem Sterling in the past?

Back in 2022, after Chelsea completed the £47.5 million signing of Sterling from Manchester City, then-Blues manager Tuchel said he recommended the player to the club's owners.

"He was the absolute number one for that position. I gave his name to Todd straight away," he told The Telegraph.

"Every time we played against him, he’s horrible to play against, horrible. The main point is his intensity and the amount of repetition of intensity that he delivers. This is simply outstanding over the last years."

Tuchel added: "He caused huge trouble when he played against us and once you dig in deeper into his data and not only statistics in his goal involvements, it’s outstanding. It’s exactly what we need to raise the level of our players."