“He’s the only player causing problem” Chelsea now prepared to sell “leader” in January so they can sign £83m star

Chelsea’s Focus on Lowering Wage Bills and Building for the Future

Since taking over Chelsea, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have aimed to reduce the club’s wage expenses. Their strategy includes signing younger talents before they peak and implementing an incentive-based pay structure to reward top performers. Reece James, the club captain, is currently Chelsea’s highest earner at £250,000 per week. A product of the academy, James is highly valued when fit. However, his frequent injuries raise questions about whether his salary is fully justified.

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One notable figure in Chelsea’s wage structure is Raheem Sterling. Despite spending this season on loan at Arsenal, Sterling is the club’s seventh-highest earner. Next season, upon his return, he will reclaim the top spot with an eye-watering £325,000-per-week salary.

Raheem Sterling’s Chelsea Journey

When Chelsea signed Sterling from Manchester City for £47.5 million in 2022, Boehly hailed him as a “world-class” player and a “serial winner.” The club anticipated Sterling would make a massive impact at Stamford Bridge.

“Sterling is a serial winner, and his signing is an important step in strengthening our squad. We are delighted for Raheem to return to London with Chelsea, and we look forward to seeing his world-class talent on display,” Boehly said at the time.

Unfortunately, Sterling struggled to meet expectations. His performances lacked the consistency and output he showcased at City. Across 81 appearances for Chelsea, Sterling scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in 5,326 minutes of playtime. These figures fell short of justifying his significant salary.

This past pre-season, manager Enzo Maresca made it clear that Sterling was no longer a first-choice option, leading to his loan to Arsenal. However, Chelsea still faces a costly dilemma next summer. Sterling’s £47.5 million transfer fee and £16.9 million annual wages add up to a £64.4 million problem, as the club seeks to offload him permanently.

Comparing Sterling to Chelsea’s Current Wingers

Chelsea’s two most-utilized wide players this season are Noni Madueke and summer signing Pedro Neto. Both have outperformed Sterling in several areas.

• Noni Madueke: The winger has made 16 appearances, scoring six goals and providing two assists. He leads the team in metrics like progressive actions, shot volume, and output per 90 minutes (goals + assists).
• Pedro Neto: While Neto has three goals and three assists in his 16 appearances, his contributions lie in creativity. He leads the squad in expected assisted goals (xAG), key passes per 90, and shot-creating actions per 90 minutes.

The emergence of these two players has highlighted Chelsea’s improvement without Sterling in the squad. However, the challenge remains to find a buyer for the 29-year-old, whose high wages may deter potential suitors.

A Crucial Decision Awaits

Chelsea has clearly thrived this season with a refreshed and younger lineup, making Sterling’s potential return a significant concern. Offloading him permanently next summer is imperative, but his hefty salary could prove to be the biggest obstacle. Resolving this issue will be crucial as the club continues to align its roster with its vision for the future.