Raheem Sterling faced a wave of criticism after making his debut with Dutch giants Feyenoord, joining the club on a free transfer after being released by Chelsea.
Raheem Sterling made a challenging debut for Feyenoord (Image: Marcel van Dorst/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie has come to the defense of new signing Raheem Sterling after comparing his debut to ‘Bambi on ice’. Sterling, 31, looked rusty after coming on midway through the second half of Feyenoord’s game against Telstar last Sunday.
That’s no surprise considering the former Manchester City star’s last appearance was in May 2025, his last game on loan at Arsenal. Sterling had been expelled from Chelsea, who eventually agreed to release him from his contract after six months away from training with the first team.
His performance was heavily criticized by Dutch media, with Van Persie describing some of the criticism as “inappropriate”. “I hope you understand a little bit about where he comes from, what he has achieved in the past and that he has not had team training for months,” the Feyenoord manager began.
“I understand that expectations are placed on an absolute top player, but to criticize him like that in the first 30 minutes after more than six months, you really don’t understand anything.”
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Van Persie added: “Mostly it was positive, but some of it was also very Dutch. Everyone spoke up about everything that they didn’t think was right.”
“If you don’t think he’s producing after five or six weeks, that’s one thing. But I thought it was inappropriate to make such a strong opinion based on his first 30 minutes.”
Sterling’s former England and City teammate Jack Grealish also came to Sterling’s defense after criticism of his debut match online. One Instagram account wrote: “The English winger was like Bambi on ice.
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Robin van Persie is just behind Raheem Sterling (Image: Pim Waslander/Soccrates/Getty Images)
“Sterling has been on a downward spiral since 2022, lacking motivation and seemingly unable to play for any manager other than Josep Guardiola, but Sterling is truly in the twilight years of his life. Is it time for him to retire once and for all?”
Grealish replied to the user: “What a stupid Instagram post, what’s wrong with you guys? He hasn’t played or trained in a long time. What’s wrong with the world about guys like you? Show some respect.”
Sterling will be part of Feyenoord’s squad when they travel to Twente on Sunday. Van Persie’s side are currently second in the Eredivisie with three consecutive wins, but are 14 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.
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