Arsenal flop flops again at new club

His debut came against Telstar at De Kuip Stadium on 22 February, but he has since managed only 349 minutes across all appearances, with no goals, one assist and one booking.

His last goal remains the one he scored for Arsenal against Bolton in September 2024, a statistic that underlines how sharply his career has stalled since joining Chelsea in 2022.

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Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad, through Mikos Gouka, reported two weeks ago that Feyenoord were no longer open to discussing an extension. Robin van Persie had initially suggested a longer stay could be considered, but the club’s position has since hardened and this week that decision seems to have solidified.

There have also been visible signs of frustration. Sterling was upset when substituted during Feyenoord’s 0-0 draw with FC Volendam on 5 April and was not used in the club’s game against NEC Nijmegen.

He has reportedly accepted his role as a substitute and remains determined to give everything until the season ends, but his future is already moving away from Rotterdam.

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Feyenoord are still fighting to secure Champions League qualification, with a top-two finish guaranteeing a place in next season’s league phase and third offering a route through the qualifying play-offs. They are second in the Eredivisie, but only one point clear of third, two clear of fourth and four clear of fifth, leaving little margin for further slips. PSV have already secured the title. They are currently 17 points clear, with just four left to play.

Serie A clubs are expected to show interest this summer when he becomes a free agent again, and Sterling plans to work with personal physio Ben Rosenblatt in June to prepare for pre-season.

He remains convinced he can return to form, but after a failed Arsenal loan and an underwhelming Feyenoord move, he is running out of chances to show it at the top level.

Sterling has 174 goals for Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Feyenoord, along with 126 assists, from 584 games.