Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling takes his mind off Stamford Bridge exile and puts on training session for kids

4 hours ago 13

By TUM BALOGUN, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 10:26 BST, 24 October 2025 | Updated: 10:43 BST, 24 October 2025

Raheem Sterling has swapped Cobham's quiet pitches for a five-a-side cage, taking time out from Chelsea exile to coach schoolchildren in London.

The forward, who has been frozen out of Enzo Maresca's first-team squad, hosted a community training day for pupils from Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School in Tolworth.

Sterling, 30, was joined by academy coach Azeez for a bespoke session involving 25 boys and girls. 

The RS7 Academy described it as 'a day of fun and football,' thanking the school staff, parents and students for making it 'a memorable day for everybody involved.'

The appearance offered a rare public glimpse of Sterling during his Stamford Bridge exile. The England international has been training away from Chelsea's senior squad since the summer after being told he was not part of Maresca's plans.

Sterling, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022 for £47.5million, has two years left on a contract worth more than £300,000 a week.

Sterling hosted a community training day for pupils from Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School in Tolworth

He was omitted from the club's official 2025-26 squad photograph and has been training separately with centre-back Axel Disasi.

According to reports, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has been in contact with Chelsea to ensure both players continue to receive access to proper training facilities and coaching.

The club has assigned designated staff to oversee their sessions at Cobham while they wait for possible moves in January.

Maresca addressed the situation last month, saying the pair train 'at a different time on a different pitch' and confirming there is 'no way back' into his first-team plans.

Sterling's exile follows a frustrating loan spell at Arsenal last season, where he made 28 appearances in all competitions but only 13 from the start, scoring once.

He turned down summer approaches from Napoli, Bayern Munich and several London clubs, reportedly preferring to remain close to his family in the capital.

The former Manchester City winger continues to work privately with a performance team led by Ben Rosenblatt, formerly of the England set-up, to maintain fitness.

His RS7 Academy, launched in August this year, runs youth coaching sessions across south-west London and partners with local schools to promote participation and equality in sport.

Sterling revealed the brutal reality of life in Chelsea's 'bomb squad' last month via a post on Instagram

Maresca addressed the situation last month, saying the pair train 'at a different time on a different pitch' and confirming there is 'no way back' into his first-team

Sterling's latest outing drew praise from parents online after video footage showed him encouraging young players during drills and posing for group photos. 

RS7 Academy described it as 'the first of many' such events, inviting other schools to book community sessions.

It comes as Chelsea prepare for Saturday's Premier League trip against Sunderland, while Sterling faces at least another two months away from competitive action before a transfer can be arranged when the window reopens in January.

He has not played since his final appearance for the Gunners in May.  

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