Raheem Sterling could once again find himself without a club this summer, with Feyenoord denying that the former England star will be given a new contract, according to a report.
Sterling, 31, joined the Dutch club in February, playing eight times before the end of the campaign. He failed to score a goal, but picked up one assist.
His last game for the club came on Sunday, when he played 72 minutes against Zwolle on the final day of the season. He has been subject to plenty of criticism in the media and from fans, something that manager Robin van Persie has hit back at.
‘He was unlucky at times,’ Van Persie said post-match. ‘But there were also a number of times where he was in a good position. In the second half, for example, when he produced a good run inside.
‘Personally, I struggle with the cynicism surrounding him. I think respect is more appropriate. In any case, I don’t like cynicism. I can’t stand the whole atmosphere around him.
‘Everyone has to know their place in that. And I think we sometimes go a bit overboard in the Netherlands regarding that.’
Raheem Sterling faces being without a club again in the summer, with Feyenoord denying that he will be given a new contract
Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie has repeatedly defended Sterling amid vast criticism
‘He has scored 200 goals in England and played 82 international matches. And that is regardless of whether you think he plays well or not. But I think the way we handle this as a footballing nation is really very bad.’
It was reported last month in the Netherlands that Sterling would not be offered a new deal.
That would leave the forward in limbo around his future, having finally agreed to leave Chelsea after months of exile.
According to Dutch publication AD, there has been complete denial that Sterling is to be offered a deal.
Sterling’s £325,000-per-week contract was ripped up by Chelsea a matter of months ago.
He had endured a torrid spell at Stamford Bridge that saw him exiled to former manager Enzo Maresca‘s ‘bomb squad’, and he was forced to train away from the first team for over six months after dramatically sliding down the pecking order.
Joining van Persie’s Feyenoord offered an opportunity for Raheem Sterling to reignite his career, but it appears the former Manchester City star’s latest career move quickly turned sour.
It was hoped that Sterling, whose contract expires at the end of June, would help Feyenoord in their title battle against PSV towards the back end of the season, but the forward’s contribution – according to Dutch media – has been ‘shameful’.
The forward played eight games for the club, but failed to score a goal – with one assist
Feyenoord finished second in the Eredivisie table, but finished a staggering 19 points adrift of first place.
Upon signing, Sterling said: ‘As a free agent, I’ve had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step in my career.
‘I wanted to take my time to speak with clubs and their head coaches to better understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure that I can add real value in this next chapter.’
‘Having spoken in great detail with Robin, I’m confident that Feyenoord is a place I can be happy and establish myself as a valued member of the team. Playing abroad is a whole new challenge for me – and one I’m ready to embrace. Honestly, I’m just excited to get started.’
He now faces the prospect of being a free agent again this summer, with his future uncertain.
