# Raheem Sterling's fall from grace

> Sterling faces prison after dangerous driving plea.
- Title: Raheem Sterling's fall from grace · the Guardian | Shortify
- Summary: Sterling faces prison after dangerous driving plea. Raheem Sterling, former England star, awaits sentencing for dangerous driving and nitrous oxide…
- Keywords: raheem sterling, england, chelsea, manchester city, liverpool, feyenoord, nitrous oxide, dangerous driving, prison, career collapse, tuchel, mbe
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/03/decline-and-fall-who-will-believe-in-raheem-sterling-now
- Published: 2026-10-03T05:00:51+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: raheem sterling, england, chelsea, manchester city, liverpool, feyenoord, nitrous oxide, dangerous driving, prison, career collapse, tuchel, mbe
## Sterling's rise
Raheem Sterling went from Liverpool prospect to England star and marquee Chelsea signing after huge success at Manchester City.
## Current crisis
Sterling awaits sentencing for dangerous driving and nitrous oxide possession after pleading guilty at Basingstoke magistrates court.
## Career divergence
Harry Kane continues to break records with 73 goals last season while Sterling faces career collapse.
## Early promise
Sterling was Liverpool's first team prospect at 17 with natural strength beyond many adults.
## Rejection of contract
Sterling rejected a £100,000-a-week contract and became engulfed in public storm.
## Public backlash
Liverpool-supporting pundits turned on him after Sterling told Roy Hodgson he was too tired for a game against Estonia.
## Racial abuse
Sterling faced racially motivated attack outside Manchester City and abuse from Chelsea supporters.
## Peak performance
Sterling won domestic treble with City and scored two goals in FA Cup final in 2019.
## Rise to prominence
Xavi Hernández claimed Sterling was winning the race to replace Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
## Chelsea move
Sterling signed five-year contract on £325,000 a week with Chelsea after Tuchel's takeover.
## Manager changes
Sterling played under Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca at Chelsea.
## Decline at Chelsea
Sterling's output dwindled from 23 goals and 14 assists in 2017-18 to 31 and 10 in 2019-20.
## Forced out
Maresca told Sterling he was not part of his plans two days before 2024-25 season started.
## Loan to Arsenal
Sterling scored once for Arsenal in Carabao Cup game against Bolton on 25 September 2024.
## Feyenoord move
Sterling rebuilt career under Robin van Persie at Feyenoord after Chelsea release.
## Key takeaway

Raheem Sterling, former England star, awaits sentencing for dangerous driving and nitrous oxide possession after his career collapse.