Raheem Sterling has been subjected to severe criticism from Dutch media outlets following his recent performance for Feyenoord, with some branding his display a "total failure" as the star's struggles continue in the Netherlands.
Sterling's Performance Under Fire
The former England winger, who joined Dutch giants Feyenoord in February on a free transfer after terminating his Chelsea contract, started in the crucial home match against fierce rivals Ajax on Sunday. However, his performance drew widespread condemnation from the Dutch press.
Sterling was substituted at the 55-minute mark with his team trailing 1-0, after which Feyenoord managed to equalise and secure a draw. His lacklustre display did not escape the brutal scrutiny of multiple Dutch media organisations.
Scathing Media Assessments
DPG Media criticised Sterling's apparent lack of pace, arguing it prevents him from influencing matches. They wrote: "In modern football, no speed means no danger. The arrival of Sterling, announced with great fanfare gave the Legioen hope but the Englishman cannot make the difference for Feyenoord."
AD newspaper hit out at one of his efforts on goal, writing: "The tension was palpable and visible on the pitch as well, in the clumsy way Raheem Sterling kicked a ball over the goal."
Voetbal International gave Sterling a lowly match rating of 5/10, while De Telegraaf were particularly critical of his performance in De Klassieker. One article branded Sterling's performance as a "total failure," stating he contributed "nothing" going forward or in defence, which enabled Ajax to play out easily.
Mocking Commentary
The same De Telegraaf article mockingly observed that "it seemed like he was enjoying the sun more than being focused on the match." It then suggested that if Sterling cannot impact proceedings or perform well in a crucial fixture like this, he would be "better off playing for a veterans' team."
Broader Context of Sterling's Struggles
Sterling's difficulties at Feyenoord mirror his underwhelming performances during a challenging 18-month period. After being deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea, he was loaned to Arsenal before being frozen out upon his return to west London.
The 31-year-old finally parted ways with Chelsea following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, agreeing a settlement package over the final 18 months of his deal. This allowed him to end his Stamford Bridge nightmare and join Robin van Persie's side as a free agent after considering his options.
However, the former Liverpool and Manchester City star has been far from his best since arriving in the Netherlands, notably lacking match sharpness due to his nine-month absence from competitive football. His first game in nine months saw him have a poor cameo against Telstar, with his fitness clearly below the required level.
Brief Respite Followed by Criticism
After three underwhelming performances, Sterling appeared to make a breakthrough by notching an assist in his most recent fixture against Excelsior, which prompted sections of the press to soften their initial criticism. Manager Robin van Persie had been forced to publicly defend the Premier League icon from scrutiny after his debut appearance for the side.
Despite this brief improvement, Sterling's performance against Ajax has reignited criticism and raised questions about his ability to adapt to the Eredivisie and make a meaningful impact for Feyenoord during his short-term contract with the club.
