The England international was blunt in his explanation of why he left the Etihad Stadium.
Raheem Sterling has provided an explanation for his decision to join Chelsea this summer, saying that he was unable to accept playing at Manchester City during his prime years without a guarantee of starting. This summer marked the conclusion of Sterling’s spectacular seven-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium, during which time the forward won all awards he was eligible to win with the exception of the Champions League.
The England international, who had previously been one of the first names on the squad sheet, has recently fallen down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola.
Sterling joined Chelsea for £47.5 million ($57 million) in July, and he has already made his Blues debut by starting in his team’s match against Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season.
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Why did Sterling feel he needed to leave Man City?
Join us from Cobham for Raheem's first presser in Blue! https://t.co/LXFPDKjBxY
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 11, 2022
Speaking at a press conference toasting his arrival in west London, Sterling explained why he felt the need to move on from City.
“I just felt my time at City was getting limited on playing time for different reasons. I couldn’t afford to waste more time. When I look back in the future, I didn’t want to see a rise and then a decline. A fresh challenge was to be made,” he said.
“Since 17, I’ve been regularly starting. When getting to a peak time, not playing as regular, wasn’t something I would accept. I always try to fight and change the scenario. But it didn’t come and that was it.”
Why Chelsea is a good fit for Sterling
“With the options I had, it was one that tailor made for my personal goals, family it makes a lot of sense, and the direction the club is going in,” he said.
“You look at Chelsea the past couple of years I think it’s four or five finals they’ve been in. It’s a team who shows they are competing and they’re only going to get better. With the new ownership it made a lot of sense.”
Getty Images“My full journey going up to Liverpool manifesting what I wanted, then City living the dream, and coming back to London as a grown adult. I’ve got my head on my shoulders, I know exactly what I want from life and football. It’s a perfect time to have a new challenge.”
When will Sterling face his former team-mates?
Provided they do not draw each other in the Carabao Cup, Sterling will have to wait some time before reacquainting himself with his former Cityu team-mates.
Chelsea are currently scheduled to host City at Stamford Bridge on 2 January, with the return fixture set to take place on 20 May – the penultimate Premier League fixture for each side.
