The England winger, 29, was offered an impressive package that would have more than doubled his current £300,000-a-week salary. Additionally, he has expressed his desire to return to the Three Lions fold for the 2026 World Cup.

Sterling’s lawyers and representatives finalized a dramatic late loan move across London on Friday night. The situation escalated at the start of the week, following new Blues boss Enzo Maresca’s public declaration that Sterling would no longer play for the club.

This left Chelsea with the prospect of having to pay his £27 million-a-year wages over the next three years while he trained alone. Chelsea then sought out potential clubs to take on the financial package they had considered a “bargain” when Sterling joined from City in 2022.

Stripped of his shirt number and isolated from the squad, Sterling left it to Chelsea to resolve the situation they had created. Despite interest from an unnamed Saudi club, Sterling stood his ground and rejected the move, adamant that it would not be perceived as giving up on his England career.

He is now set to be the latest in a line of top players, unwanted by Chelsea, who have gone on to display their talent elsewhere. Players such as Kai Havertz and Jorginho have excelled since leaving Chelsea, while Kovacic scored the winner against his former club in the opening game of the season.

Like these players, Sterling remains ambitious and hungry. Despite the challenges, he now looks forward to a new, stable chapter in his career.