Pundit tells Leeds United to sign Chelsea player who will be axed this summer

One of Chelsea’s unwanted stars could be a big addition for a soon-to-be Premier League club, according to a pundit. The Blues will once again have a handful of stars they will want to offload this summer as they look to streamline their squad further while adding more quality to certain positions.

Chelsea’s mass buying over recent years has left them with a very large playing squad, with as many as 30 players on their books currently, as well as an army of players out on loan, including 21 players who are currently playing elsewhere.

Raheem Sterling is one of those players, and with Enzo Maresca clearly not a fan of the England international, the winger will almost certainly be sold this summer as Chelsea look to clear out room, both in terms of personnel and finances.

Sterling is currently enduring a very difficult spell with Arsenal, failing to make an impact for the Gunners, and Paul Merson believes Leeds United, who recently secured promotion back to the Premier League, should be looking at the winger ahead of their top-flight return. He told Sky Sports: “If I was Leeds United, I’d be looking at Raheem’s experience. They’re a young team, Leeds. They like to play attacking football. He’s very good in the dressing room, good team player. He’s got all the experience in the world, won Premier Leagues.

“For me, that wouldn’t be a bad move for Leeds and for Raheem Sterling, again going to a massive, huge club. The expectations are not as high, if they finish 17th next year Leeds, they’ve pulled up trees.”

Sterling’s fall

Sterling was part of Chelsea’s pre-season plans for this season only to be axed at the final stages of the summer. Enzo Maresca explained at the time: "Brutal? I don't think so. I try to be honest. I can repeat again if it's not clear: I spoke with Raheem before the City game. I said he is going to struggle to get minutes with us and this is the reason why he is out of the squad.

"With Chilly, I said he is a lovely guy, but he is going to struggle because of his position. He is going to struggle. If you define this as brutal, it's up to you to decide. For me, it's not brutal, it's just honest.”

Sterling said upon joining Arsenal: “It’s a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this, where you can see that hunger, that desire, year on year, they are pushing and pushing and pushing. That’s exactly how I am as a person.

“Each year you want to get better and do better than the previous year. Hopefully I can gel really well with the boys and get going. It’s time now to meet the boys, get settled in and hopefully now see some game time and make my mark.”

Since then, the 30-year-old has scored once in 26 games across all competitions, providing five assists, and it’s clear Arsenal will not move to keep him beyond this season. Sterling will almost certainly need to find a new club this summer.