Tuchel sends heartfelt message to Sterling during 'difficult period'

Thomas Tuchel has admitted he feels “sympathy” for Raheem Sterling after the former England forward’s career went into free fall.

Last month Sterling, 31, admitted dangerous driving and possessing nitrous oxide after crashing his Lamborghini in May.

Former England star Sterling signed for Tuchel in 2022 at Chelsea but he has struggled to recapture his success with Manchester City and is now a free agent.

England boss Tuchel said: “I have a lot of sympathy for him and I feel that he has struggled ever since he left Man City and he was at the peak of his career.

“I was fighting for this transfer and he could never prove the importance that he normally had. It was a big step for him at that moment in time.

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“It's sad to see that someone struggles because he was a devoted father for his children and he was a family guy, a nice guy to be around. It just seems that he goes through a difficult period.

“I'm not sure how much is his fault, sometimes you just enter a strange spiral in your life, a downward spiral. Thoughts of with him of course, the belief is always that he can turn it around and I wish him the best.”

Sterling has been disqualified from driving ahead of his next appearance in court on November 25.

Sterling played for Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, winning four Premier League titles and has scored 123 Premier League goals across his career. He has 82 caps for England, the last of which came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But he is currently without a club after a short stint with Feyenoord didn't go to plan in the latter half of last season.

After being signed by Robin van Persie on a short-term deal, the winger didn't manage to contribute a goal or an assist in eight appearances for the Dutch club. He has been keeping busy this summer by working at his own RS7 Academy.