The response of Cole Palmer to Raheem Sterling’s statement may provide a challenge for Chelsea.

Rio Ferdinand asserts that Chelsea’s choice to exclude Raheem Sterling from their main squad might potentially have an adverse effect on the morale of the other players in the club.

Rio Ferdinand has asserted that Chelsea’s management of Raheem Sterling could lead to difficulties and potentially disrupt the team’s harmony.

Supporters were perplexed when Sterling was excluded from the Chelsea lineup for the match against Manchester City, prompting the player to subsequently release a statement addressing his absence. During an episode of his podcast, ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’, the former Manchester United defender voiced his apprehension regarding the influence on younger players who look up to Sterling, considering the treatment he has received from the club.

During a conversation with ex-Chelsea player Jody Morris and former City defender Joleon Lescott, Ferdinand disclosed that, based on his sources, Sterling is unaware of his future at Chelsea and has not received any clear contact from the club’s high-ranking officials. In addition, he proposed that emerging talents such as Cole Palmer, who recently pledged his future to Chelsea, may perhaps be dissatisfied with the handling of Sterling’s situation, given the possibility that the former City winger may need to search for a new club.

“Based on the information I’ve gathered, it seems that he lacks awareness of his current circumstances. No one in the higher ranks has approached him to explicitly communicate that he is no longer needed and that they intend to terminate his position.” “Based on what I’m hearing, the most recent conversation conveyed a sense that everything is in order,” Ferdinand stated.

The 45-year-old has voiced apprehension regarding the potential impact of Sterling’s predicament on Chelsea’s emerging stars, including Palmer and Reece James. Ferdinand also emphasised Sterling’s role as a mentor in the team’s locker room, where he is affectionately referred to as ‘uncle Raheem’.

“I observe all the young players, particularly in that team, referring to Raheem as ‘uncle Raheem’,” Ferdinand stated. “Cole Palmer, along with players such as Reece James, refers to Raheem Sterling as ‘uncle Raheem’. Sterling has taken care of many of these boys and provided them with guidance, which they often seek from him.”

“By delivering a forceful kick to that individual in the changing room, it is highly probable that all of them will experience a temporary difficulty in walking. Their response to this action will likely be negative, leading to the emergence of a conflict within your own team’s changing room. It is crucial to handle such situations appropriately in order to prevent the escalation of problems.”
In addition to Ferdinand’s argument, former Chelsea coach Morris added his perspective, indicating that the decision to separate from a seasoned player such as Sterling may potentially lead to chaos among the club. Especially with the loss of another experienced player, Thiago Silva.

“Chelsea’s team consists of predominantly young players, and Raheem is now one of the most seasoned players in the team, especially since they no longer have Thiago Silva. Can you name any other players in the game who have accomplished what Raheem has?” “The potential impact of these types of things on the rest of the group is unpredictable,” Morris stated.

The former Leeds United player also expressed worries about Todd Boehly’s transfer strategy at Chelsea and its potential impact on the development of young players. He suggested that the arrival of numerous new acquisitions may discourage young stars from pledging their future to the club. He highlighted that this is not a novel pattern, citing the recent transactions involving numerous talented players, which may impact the choices made by parents of prospective recruits.
“To be fair to the new owners, this type of activity has occurred in the past as well, where we have been selling our highly skilled individuals.” Simply observe the likes of Marc Guehi, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, and Dominic Solanke, and the pattern becomes evident. When considering signing a player who is potentially under the age of 13 or 14, it is important to acknowledge that parents are not naive and may express caution by saying “Hold on a minute” due to the unpredictable nature of the situation. The individual stated:.
Ferdinand also conveyed his conviction that Chelsea’s enthusiasm to acquire new players, some of whom he deems not superior to current squad members, jeopardizes the connection between the club and its fans. He emphasized the significance of nurturing local talent in preserving such relationships, censuring the “entrepreneurs” in charge for disregarding these vital elements.

He stated that he does not perceive a significant disparity in quality and emphasized the importance of homegrown players in fostering a connection with the supporters. However, the business individuals at the club are unable to perceive those minute intricacies and subtleties.