Former Liverpool star admits he ‘didn’t like’ Raheem Sterling
TL;DR – Two-minute read
Raheem Sterling joined Feyenoord on a short-term contract in January 2026 after terminating his deal with Chelsea. The England international had not featured for the Blues in the first half of the season and was training alone. Dirk Kuyt expressed hope for Sterling’s revival under Robin van Persie following several years of underperformance.
Dirk Kuyt expressed hope for Sterling, despite not liking him
Raheem Sterling has joined Feyenoord on a short-term deal until the end of the season after terminating his contract with Chelsea. This move comes after the 31-year-old forward failed to make a single appearance for Chelsea during the first half of the campaign, being effectively frozen out following three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge.
According to UK Sports News, Sterling was pictured watching from the stands as Feyenoord secured a 1-0 victory against Go Ahead Eagles this weekend, restoring their three-point lead over third-placed Ajax in the Eredivisie. However, he is still awaiting a work permit, which currently prohibits him from training or playing with his new team-mates.
Dirk Kuyt expresses hope for Sterling
Ex-Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt commented on Sterling’s transfer, saying he “didn’t like” the forward during their time at Liverpool but hopes to see him thrive at Feyenoord under coach Robin van Persie. Kuyt noted that despite his previous feelings towards Sterling, he regards him as “a fantastic player in English football with a tremendous record.”
Kuyt stated he is not surprised by Sterling’s move, adding, “In the world of football, you have to expect everything, even the unexpected.” He expressed optimism about Sterling’s potential return to form, stating, “If his fitness is okay… I’m looking forward to watching Feyenoord’s matches.”
Sterling reflects on his move
In his first interview as a Feyenoord player, Raheem Sterling shared that a conversation with Robin van Persie gave him a “very good feeling” about the move. He emphasised the importance of dialogue in understanding what each other needs, stating, “For me, it’s not a very hard decision… Football is about feelings and I think I just had a very good feeling.”
Feyenoord is set to host their next fixture in the Eredivisie, with fans keen to see how Sterling’s situation develops as he awaits his work permit.