Chelsea Ignore Sterling’s 31st Birthday As Exile Continues
It’s been a tough year for Raheem Sterling — and Chelsea just added another awkward chapter. On his 31st birthday, the club didn’t post a single celebratory message across any of their social platforms. No graphic. No shoutout. Nothing.
Meanwhile, England’s official account and his former club Manchester City both publicly wished him well.
Sterling remains completely frozen out under new manager Enzo Maresca, stuck in the infamous Stamford Bridge “bomb squad” and expected to push for a move once the January transfer window opens.
From World-Class Praise To Premier League Exile
It’s incredible how quickly things can change in football.
Back in 2019, Sterling hit an 11-minute Champions League hat-trick against Atalanta. Their technical director even told him he was “the best player in the world.” Fast forward to now, and Chelsea are about to face Atalanta again — without Sterling anywhere near the squad.
He’s been left out of both Premier League and European squads for the 2025–26 season, making him one of the highest-profile exiles in English football.
What Went Wrong At Chelsea?
Sterling joined Chelsea in 2022 for £50 million, but the move simply never clicked:
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19 goals in 81 appearances
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Last played for Chelsea on May 19, 2024
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Loaned out to Arsenal last season — no Premier League goals
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Arsenal passed on the option to make it permanent
Now he’s back at Stamford Bridge, but firmly in the shadows.
Despite being the third-highest scoring Englishman in Champions League history, he’ll be watching Europe from home this season.
How Sterling Has Been Spending His Time
According to The Telegraph, Sterling is trying to stay positive:
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He still trains at Chelsea — sometimes alone, sometimes with the U21s
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He turned down a short-term loan to Bayern Munich, preferring stability
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He’s been pouring energy into his kids and his football academy
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He’s a regular at Arsenal academy games, where his 8-year-old son Thiago plays
Even with all of this, Enzo Maresca insists “anything can happen” — but at the moment, it seems Sterling’s future lies far away from Chelsea.
January Window: A Fresh Start?
With his experience, quality, and resume, Sterling will definitely attract interest.
The biggest question is: Who takes the risk?
Chelsea appear ready to move on, and Sterling surely wants a club that believes in him again.
One thing is certain — ignoring his birthday publicly says a lot about where things stand.
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