Paul Merson tips Leeds United to sign ‘experienced’ Chelsea star this summer
'He's very good in the dressing room.'
Paul Merson believes Leeds United should sign Raheem Sterling from Chelsea in the summer transfer window when his Arsenal loan ends.
Sterling has failed to make much of an impact on the pitch for the Gunners this season after heading to the Emirates in August in a temporary switch.
The 30-year-old, capped 82 times by England, will soon head back to Stamford Bridge but there has been speculation over his future at Chelsea.
Merson feels Leeds, who recently secured promotion to the Premier League for the 2025-26 season, should bring Sterling to Elland Road.
‘Leeds should look at Raheem Sterling’
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‘If I was Leeds United, I’d be looking at Raheem,’ the football pundit and former Arsenal star told Sky Sports. ‘They’re a young team.
‘They like to play attacking football. He’s very good in the dressing room and a good team player. He’s got all the experience in the world, he’s won Premier Leagues.
‘For me, that wouldn’t be a bad move for Leeds or for Sterling. He’d be going to a massive, huge club and the expectations are not as high.
‘If they finish 17th in the Premier League next year they’ve pulled up trees. That would be one that would tick the box for me.’
Sterling is under contract at Chelsea until 2027 and has provided 19 goals and 15 assists across 81 games for the west London club to date.
At Arsenal this season, Sterling has made 26 appearances, scoring once and registering five assists.
Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022, with the Blues paying £47.5m for his services.
The winger enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at the Etihad, winning four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the Carabao Cup five times.
Sterling was a key figure for England under former boss Gareth Southgate, with the Three Lions finishing as runners-up at Euro 2020.
In 2019, Sterling was named FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year.
Sterling also spent three years at Liverpool prior to joining City and was named their Young Player of the Season in 2014 and 2015.
Leeds United could sack head coach Daniel Farke despite promotion
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail report that Leeds could sack their head coach Daniel Farke this summer despite their promotion from the Championship.
The Leeds hierarchy are thought to be concerned over Farke’s Premier League record managing former club Norwich City in the top-flight.
Kjetil Knutsen is the current favourite to replace Farke, according to OLBG, with Edin Terzic and ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche also linked to the role.
