Raheem Sterling’s profession is nosediving – however Arsenal star might need potential lifeline

Raheem Sterling should be approaching the peak of his career.

He doesn’t turn 30 until next month, the age when most footballers of his standing feel in their prime. Instead, all Sterling feels is mounting frustration at becoming the forgotten man of the English game.

He used to be centre stage for both club and country. He was winning trophies with Manchester City, and helping the Three Lions go deep in major tournaments.

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He was using his position and profile to lead the fight against racism. But these days Sterling can’t even get a game for the club he’s on-loan at.

Having been discarded by the club which actually owns him. A club so desperate to get him out of the building, they are paying the bulk of his wages on behalf of a rival.

And even this gesture still won’t persuade the club that’s borrowed him to stick him out on the pitch. How has it come to this for Sterling?

Someone whose career has done nothing but go downhill since he left Pep Guardiola’s English champions for London in 2022. When Sterling sealed a loan move to Arsenal before the summer transfer window closed, he couldn’t keep the smile off his face.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling, it’s really exciting,” he said at the time. Looking at everything, I’m just like, ‘this is the perfect fit for me’, and I’m just super happy.”

The look on Sterling’s face as he disappeared down the St James’ Park tunnel following Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle last weekend was the opposite of ‘super happy’. Because if there was a new low for Sterling to find, he discovered it in the north east.

With Arsenal trailing 1-0, creating nothing in front of goal and needing a spark from somewhere, Sterling discovered once and for all where he sits in the pecking order. Mikel Arteta made five changes in the second half.

But none of them involved someone who has won 82 caps for England, not to mention 11 major trophies. Defensive midfielder Jorginho, along with a teenager, were among the better options than Sterling, according to Arteta.

Arteta is losing the plot, while Sterling must be losing the will to live. The winger has started just two league games this season, against Southampton and Bournemouth.

In fact, his situation has become so embarrassing, he must be wishing he took the Saudi dollars when he had the chance. Fair play to him for wanting to remain at the highest and most competitive level.

But right now, the decision is looking like a huge mistake. Part of Sterling’s thinking was he didn’t want to ruin his chances of getting back into the England set up.

But snubbing a move to the desert has left him stuck in the wilderness. Positives are becoming hard to find for Sterling.

He didn’t join Arsenal to sit on the bench. He could have done this at Stamford Bridge, where he will head back to in a few months time knowing he is still no longer wanted.

In the meantime, his one salvation could turn out to be the familiar figure of Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel signed Sterling when he was the Chelsea manager.

He thought Sterling was worth investing almost £50m in. He thought Sterling was worth a lucrative five-year deal.

So the chances are Tuchel still thinks Sterling is someone who can perform at the highest level. So could Tuchel bring Sterling out of international exile, now he’s agreed to become the new England manager?

Who knows, but if someone needs a help from an old friend right now it’s Sterling.