Gary Lineker admits he has been left ‘sad’ over the downfall of Arsenal winger Raheem Sterling, given that he used to be such a brilliant player.
Sterling has largely flopped since joining the Gunners on a season-long loan from Chelsea, producing just one goal and two assists in 22 games.
The 30-year-old was formerly one of the best players in the Premier League and shined on the international stage for England under Gareth Southgate.
Prior to his move to Chelsea in 2022, Sterling helped Manchester City win four top-flight titles and was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 2018-19.
But his career has been on a downward trajectory in recent years with Sterling not even making it off the bench in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday.
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English football legend Lineker feels Sterling is struggling from a ‘lack of confidence’ as he shared his thoughts on the winger via a podcast.
‘What did we make of Sterling?’ Lineker asked fellow pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football.
‘It’s hard to be too critical because he didn’t get on [against United] but [Mikel Arteta] even played [Kieran] Tierney quite far forwards [instead].
‘It’s a bit sad because [Sterling has] been a brilliant player for club and country for a long time. I wonder if the fact he played so much football at such an early age – and brilliant football as well – maybe that’s taken a toll on him. Maybe it’s a lack of confidence. Who knows?’
Premier League icon Shearer believes that a ‘spring in Sterling’s step has gone’ while Richards feels the winger is not as ‘sharp’ as he once was.
‘It’s pretty damning isn’t it?’ Shearer said. ‘You can tell a bit of a spring in his step has gone. There’s not that same energy or belief when he gets the ball, maybe that’s confidence as well because he hasn’t played and when he has he hasn’t done so well.’
Richards added: ‘He’s lacking that sharpness. He was playing for a team at Man City that won everything. He went to Chelsea, playing in a different system, struggling with a few injuries.
‘We never saw the best of him at Chelsea and it’s the same at Arsenal. He’s just missing that sharpness. I remember watching clips of him when he was really young just running past players.
‘He doesn’t seem to have that sharpness anymore which is sad to see because he’s been a top player in the Premier League.’
Amid an attacking injury crisis this term, Arsenal fans and pundits were hoping to see Sterling step up and replace the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
But it hasn’t panned out that way for Sterling, who was brutally labelled the Premier League ‘flop of the season’ by Stan Collymore in November.
Despite struggling to make much of an impact for Arsenal on the pitch, though, Sterling is thought to be a popular figure behind the scenes in the dressing room and is viewed as a leader given his vast experience.
There was talk of Sterling going back to Chelsea in the January transfer window but he wanted to stay at the Emirates and help Arsenal in their attempt to win the Premier League title.
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