In a decision that has sent shockwaves through the football community, Raheem Sterling has been conspicuously left out of the Professional Footballers' Association Premier League Team of the Year. The Chelsea winger's omission marks a significant downturn in recognition for the former Manchester City star.
The coveted wing positions in the PFA's best XI were awarded to Arsenal's rising sensation Bukayo Saka and the consistently brilliant Mohamed Salah of Liverpool. This selection underscores a season of stark contrasts between Sterling's challenging campaign at Stamford Bridge and Saka's electrifying form for the Gunners.
Sterling's move to Chelsea last summer in a £47.5 million deal was met with great expectation, but the 28-year-old has struggled to replicate the devastating form that made him a perennial fixture in City's title-winning sides. His absence from the PFA team, voted for by his fellow professionals, speaks volumes about his perceived impact this season.
The snub comes as a particular blow given Sterling's historical dominance in this arena. The England international had become something of a permanent fixture in the Team of the Year during his peak years at Manchester City, making six consecutive appearances from 2017 to 2022—a testament to his once-undisputed status as one of the league's elite attackers.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka's inclusion comes as no surprise following a spectacular campaign that saw him rack up 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions. The 21-year-old's development into one of Arsenal's most crucial players has been a defining story of their unexpected title challenge.
This development raises serious questions about Sterling's future trajectory and his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad as Euro 2024 approaches. With fierce competition for wide positions from Saka, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, and Marcus Rashford, Sterling faces an uphill battle to reclaim his spot as an automatic starter for both club and country.
The PFA Team of the Year remains one of the most respected accolades in football, representing the collective verdict of the very players who compete against these stars week in and week out. Sterling's exclusion from this prestigious list signals that his peers have noticed his dip in performance levels this campaign.
