The former Manchester City winger has reportedly received multiple signals from Chelsea’s new manager suggesting he is no longer considered a key part of the club’s plans. With the transfer window closing soon, Sterling has been encouraged to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Despite these developments, Neville believes that Sterling, now 29, would face significant challenges in securing regular playing time at either Old Trafford or the Emirates. Both Arsenal and Manchester United have been rumored as potential destinations for Sterling, but Neville questions the need for such a move.
“I have great admiration for Raheem Sterling; I worked very closely with him when I was at Manchester City,” Neville explained. “However, I am not entirely sure why Manchester United would consider this a smart business decision right now, given their current squad.”
Neville emphasized that Manchester United should focus on maximizing the potential of the talent they already have, rather than bringing in new players who may not necessarily fit into the current setup.
He pointed out that the club already has several players like Amad Diallo, Antony, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho who operate in similar wide areas. In Neville’s view, Sterling is not a necessary addition for Manchester United at the moment.
However, he did acknowledge that if United were losing confidence in any of their existing options, they might consider signing Sterling. “They need their current players to find their form and start making meaningful contributions,” Neville added.
Regarding Arsenal, Neville also expressed skepticism about how Sterling would fit into Mikel Arteta’s plans. “Arsenal already have Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Martinelli who can play on that left side,” he said, highlighting the depth of Arsenal’s attacking options.
“On the right, they have Bukayo Saka, who is so reliable and consistently present in the lineup.” Given these options, Neville does not see Sterling as a necessary addition for Arsenal either.
He further elaborated that Arsenal’s current squad is well-equipped to continue their title challenge without needing to bring in another wide player. “It doesn’t seem like a standout move or make much sense,” Neville noted, emphasizing that Arsenal’s existing players in those positions are more than capable of delivering the required performances.
Neville understands why Chelsea might want to move Sterling on, particularly given the recent signals sent by the club.
“Chelsea’s urgency to part ways with Sterling has become increasingly apparent over the past two weeks,” he remarked, alluding to the club’s desire to offload players who are no longer central to their strategy.
This desperation suggests that Chelsea is keen to trim their squad and refocus on players who align more closely with their new manager’s vision.
