Former Chelsea player Scott Minto has labelled the club’s decision to loan Raheem Sterling to Arsenal as just “beggars belief.”
It was another busy summer for the Blues who were involved in deals right up to the final minutes of the window, and whilst a deal couldn’t be agreed for Victor Osimhen they did sign Jadon Sancho.
Perhaps more important for Chelsea was the fact they were able to sort late deals for Sterling, Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja, although they are likely to have to revisit the same situation with all three next summer.
Minto can’t believe Chelsea’s Sterling deal
Sterling has failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge following his arrival from Manchester City in 2022, in a deal worth £50m.
Whilst he’s shown some glimpses of the quality he possesses he hasn’t performed like a player who reportedly earns in excess of £300,000 per week.
After featuring prominently in pre-season for Enzo Maresca it appeared Sterling would have a role this season, but that changed very quickly when he was left out of the match day squad for the opening game of the season and was then quickly told he was no longer part of the project.
The Blues left themselves with little time to find a solution for Sterling and he was facing the prospect of playing no football until January, but thankfully for all parties a late loan move to Arsenal was sorted out.
Chelsea will be relieved to get a portion of Sterling’s wages off their book, but from a financial perspective it’s not a great deal for the club, and Minto described it as absolutely ridiculous.
“That is ridiculous, I mean, it’s absolutely ridiculous,” he told talkSPORT.
“How can someone not be good enough for Chelsea, by the way, he hasn’t been great for Chelsea, but suddenly you have got Arsenal willing to take him on.
“And actually from a financial point of view, 30% of the wages. I mean, it’s just, it beggars belief.”
It’s unlikely Chelsea will miss Sterling given they have signed the likes of Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto this summer, but they will be hoping the England international does well enough to play himself into the shop window ahead of a permanent sale next summer.
