Raheem Sterling will snub lucrative Saudi Arabia move with the Chelsea star determined to win over fans after being BOOED off the pitch in FA Cup win over Leicester
- Sterling had a nightmare day in Chelsea’s 4-2 FA Cup win against Leicester
- The 29-year-old has been linked with a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League
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Raheem Sterling will reject a big-money transfer to Saudi Arabia and fight for his career at Chelsea.
The 29-year-old was booed three times by Chelsea fans during their 4-2 FA Cup quarter-final win over Leicester on Sunday.
It was a day to forget for the winger, who missed a host of chances and publicly apologized to fans on social media after missing a penalty during the match.
Blues fans have been critical of Sterling since his £50 million move from Manchester City in 2022, and there has been recent speculation that clubs in the Saudi Pro League could be willing to offer him a lucrative transfer.
Sterling is determined to make a success of his time at Chelsea and turns down the chance to move to Saudi Arabia.
Raheem Sterling is ready to fight for his future at Chelsea despite interest from Saudi Arabia
He was booed off the pitch after a poor performance during Chelsea’s 4–2 win over Leicester
Sterling missed a penalty, sent another chance wide when one-on-one with the Leicester goalkeeper, and was booed after skiing a free-kick into the stands.
Sterling, who has lost his place in the England squad, has two-and-a-half years left on his £300,000-a-week contract at Stamford Bridge.
In a message to Chelsea fans after their win over Leicester, Sterling posted on Instagram: ‘Apologies for the penalty miss. I will come back ten times stronger to help the team win and keep fighting for the medal every day.”
Chelsea players rallied around Sterling in response to his post, with messages of support from the likes of Cole Palmer, Ben Chilwell and Reece James.
Noni Madueke fired back at a fan after initially telling Sterling he ‘didn’t need to apologise’.
The fan wrote back to the former PSV player and told him that an apology was needed from Sterling.
Madueke hit back, writing: “Be quiet man, people like you are the problem.”
After a disappointing first season at Stamford Bridge, Sterling’s performances appeared to improve during the first half of this season.
However, he has scored just one goal in the Premier League since the start of December and Chelsea fans have expressed their frustrations with him.
Chelsea fans were not happy with Sterling taking the penalty and free kick over Cole Palmer
Sterling apologized to Chelsea fans and insisted he would come back ’10x stronger’
Against Leicester his problems started with a poor penalty after taking the ball from Cole Palmer to take the penalty.
He then shot wide when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, before later being booed after skiing a free-kick into the stands, again taking the set-piece lead over Palmer.
Sterling was jeered again when Mauricio Pochettino opted to sign Mykhailo Mudryk instead of the England international.
He was eventually replaced by Madueke after 86 minutes and was booed off the pitch by his own fans for the third time.