Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has shared his views on Raheem Sterling’s struggles during his time at Stamford Bridge, suggesting that the player’s underperformance was due to his own shortcomings rather than external influences.
Gallas believes that despite spending two seasons at Chelsea, Sterling failed to meet expectations, especially given his impressive record at Manchester City.
Sterling scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists during his tenure, but for a player of his stature, Gallas feels these numbers were insufficient.
Sterling’s omission from the starting lineup under new manager Enzo Maresca further highlighted his decline.
His absence from Chelsea’s opening games of the season suggested that the club no longer saw him as integral to their plans.
This led Sterling to seek a fresh start, which resulted in a loan move to Arsenal, a club currently thriving under Mikel Arteta’s leadership.
In Gallas’ opinion, while Chelsea’s management and transfer decisions may be questioned, Sterling is ultimately responsible for his struggles.
Gallas argued that Sterling’s inconsistent performances were the main reason for his exclusion from the squad and eventual exit.
He emphasized that Sterling’s tally of 19 goals and 12 assists over two years wasn’t reflective of a forward of his caliber, especially considering his past success as one of the Premier League’s most feared attackers at Manchester City.
Gallas pointed out that at a club like Chelsea, where the demand for success is high, these statistics made it difficult for any manager, including Maresca, to justify keeping Sterling in the starting XI.
He felt that Maresca’s decision to drop Sterling was understandable and that the player needed to recognize his own failings.
Gallas also stressed the importance of players taking accountability for their own performances rather than blaming factors like tactics or management.
He suggested that Sterling’s inability to replicate his Manchester City form was due to his struggle to adapt to Chelsea’s demands, not because of the club’s failure.
According to Gallas, players are often too quick to shift blame, but ultimately it is their responsibility to perform on the field.
Despite this criticism, Gallas sees potential in Sterling’s loan move to Arsenal.
He believes it presents the forward with an opportunity to reignite his career.
Having worked with Arteta during his time at Manchester City, Sterling could benefit from their familiarity and Arteta’s proven ability to nurture talent at Arsenal.
Gallas is hopeful that Arteta’s management style could help Sterling regain his confidence and return to top form.
Sterling’s loan spell at Arsenal is viewed as a critical moment in his career, with his performances under scrutiny from critics and fans.
If he can rediscover the form that made him one of England’s top forwards, Sterling could not only revive his reputation but also prove his doubters wrong.
However, failure to perform could further cement the skepticism surrounding his abilities.
Ultimately, this move represents a pivotal opportunity for Sterling to demonstrate his talent and potentially secure a bright future at Arsenal and beyond.
