In an alternate scenario, Raheem Sterling might have found himself en route to Budapest with Arsenal on Thursday. Instead, he was behind the wheel of his Lamborghini, driving southbound on the M3, confronting a new set of challenges.
The exact details surrounding his alleged collision with a motorway barrier near the Minley Interchange remain unclear. However, the situation took a troubling turn with Sterling’s arrest, as he faces accusations of driving under the influence, possessing a Class C substance, and failing to provide a specimen.
Fortunately, the incident, which unfolded shortly before 9 a.m. on Thursday, did not result in any injuries. Sterling was subsequently arrested and released on bail by Hampshire Police as investigations continue.
The Telegraph, referencing a source close to Sterling, highlighted that the speed of his fall from grace has taken a toll on his mental well-being. This crash only underscores the internal struggles he faces.
Raheem Sterling was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs this week
Just five years ago Sterling as a star for England alongside Harry Kane but is now far from that
While the connection between cause and effect is rarely straightforward, those within the football community recognize that Sterling, often introspective and misunderstood, has found it challenging to come to terms with a decline as abrupt as any in top-tier British sports.
At 31, Sterling isn’t alone in this struggle. He remains younger than five of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad members, yet his last appearance out of 82 caps was shortly after his 28th birthday. The time for receiving consolation calls for his absence from the national team has long passed, but he still harbors ambitions of reclaiming a position of significance.
We know well enough what the steps on that journey have looked like – after Pep Guardiola’s decision to let him go following seven seasons in which Sterling was indispensable to Manchester City, he was lost to the dysfunctions of Chelsea for two mediocre seasons and then failed to make a fist of his loan at Arsenal in the 2024-25 campaign.
That wasn’t for a lack of trying, according to club sources. They once told the Mail on Sunday of Sterling’s fierce drive to make it work; that he was quiet at London Colney but a positive influence. It seemed at odds with performances that lacked intensity, much less any of the old quality, on the rare occasions he made it into Mikel Arteta’s side.
Injuries were not his obstacle at the Emirates Stadium – curiously for the spiral we have seen in his career, he has never had an overtly serious ailment – but he never found sufficient form to dislodge the gifted cast of wingers in Arteta’s squad.
Sterling may have boarded a plane for Budapest Arsenal colours if things were different
Having been so pivotal to Sterling’s development with one-on-one attention in his time coaching at City, the fear was that if Arteta could not fix him, then no one could. Was it a confidence issue? In truth, that most capricious of sporting commodities has appeared shot through ever since City picked their moment to sell in 2022.
There have been plenty of moments when Sterling has been criticised harshly, or even ludicrously, over the details of his life and game, dating right back to those glory days under Guardiola. But equally, he has left himself open in moments.
His exit from Liverpool to force the City move was ugly. An initial reluctance to move abroad from Chelsea also prolonged his inertia in cold storage, culminating in his stint in their bomb squad after the Arsenal loan didn’t coax a permanent move.
These mysteries were not limited to club football. It is possibly no coincidence that his time with England never survived beyond the 2022 World Cup, which he left early before returning either side of a burglary at home. Reports from police and Sterling’s spokesperson conflicted on the seemingly relevant fact of whether his family were at the property during the break-in.
What has never been in dispute is the talent of a player who, on his day, was capable of 200 goals for City and 10 major trophies. On the basis of an upbringing in which his father was murdered when Sterling was two, those heights will always stand as a spectacular success.
But we haven’t seen that bright-burning comet for some time. Signing for Feyenoord in February was a move of necessity, having spent months training away from the first-team squad at Chelsea earlier this season before they cut his deal in January. From there, Sterling needed something. Anything.
Upon arriving in Holland, he said: ‘As a free agent, I’ve had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step.
A move to Feyenoord has seen criticism of Sterling’s performances in Holland
‘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.’
In Robin van Persie, he apparently had a manager willing to give what he needed – affection. Patience. And from there, all parties will have hoped confidence might return.
But criticism of his performances started early from outside the club and fans grew exasperated. Van Persie spoke up regularly for his man. ‘Personally, I struggle with the cynicism surrounding him,’ Van Persie said earlier this month. ‘I think respect is more appropriate.’
By the time Sterling’s short-term deal elapsed a fortnight ago, he had managed eight games and only four contributions went beyond an hour. His tallies for assists and yellow cards were tied at one-apiece, no goals scored.
Where will he go from here? Many who saw Sterling at his best will hope there is still opportunity for a better ending.
