Chelsea open to offers for 'disappointing' attacker?

Chelsea reportedly remain open to considering offers for winger Raheem Sterling during the summer transfer window.

The England international is currently in his second season at Stamford Bridge since making the £47.5m switch from Manchester City.

Sterling has returned a total of 17 goals and 12 assists from 76 appearances in all competitions, while he brings added value with his experience in a young squad.

Nevertheless, the 29-year-old's stint in West London can only be described as mixed at best, a sentiment having been displayed by supporters last month.

After missing a penalty, which he took off usual taker Cole Palmer, and a calamitous free kick in the FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City, Sterling was venomously booked by a large section of Chelsea fans.

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Chelsea open to offers for Sterling

On a positive note, Sterling returned after the international break to provide a clever assist for a Palmer goal against Burnley, but that was not enough to convince Mauricio Pochettino to hand him a recall to the starting lineup for the two Premier League matches that followed.

Although Sterling featured for the final 19 minutes plus added-on time of the 4-3 win over Manchester United, he remained as an unused substitute for Sunday's 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.

According to Football Insider, Pochettino has become increasingly disappointed with the level of Sterling's performances in recent months.

His only other Premier League contribution since Christmas came through a goal against former club Man City in February, while he last completed 90 minutes in the top flight in January.

As a result, the report claims that Pochettino and the club's hierarchy would be willing to part ways with Sterling during the summer transfer window.

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Is a sale realistic?

On the back of the negative reaction against Leicester, it was alleged that Sterling had become further motivated to prove his doubters wrong and remain at Chelsea.

However, that was under the assumption that he would continue to gain regular game time. A total of 36 minutes across three games indicates that he is now behind the likes of Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke in the pecking order.

Chelsea also need to cash in on any squad members this summer in order to strengthen their squad, and Sterling falls into the bracket of players who they are likely to consider offers for.

Unlike some of last summer's arrivals, Sterling's contract only runs until 2027, and age will be a factor, too, with the England international due to turn 30 in December.

The stumbling blocks will come if no Premier League or European clubs are prepared to meet Chelsea's asking price, effectively leaving them reliant on a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia when it is unclear whether Sterling would consider a move to the Middle East.