Van Persie defends Sterling amid criticism
Robin van Persie has condemned the wave of criticism directed at Raheem Sterling following the winger’s first outing for Feyenoord, describing the reaction as wholly unfair given the circumstances, reports BritPanorama.
Sterling, 31, came on as a substitute during his new club’s 2-1 victory over Telstar last Sunday, appearing visibly short of match sharpness after an extended period away from competitive football. Van Persie stressed that expectations of a top player do not justify harsh criticism, especially after a player’s first match in over six months.
The Feyenoord manager acknowledged that while the response included encouragement, certain critiques were “inappropriate.” Sterling joined Feyenoord earlier this month after reaching a mutual agreement with Chelsea to terminate his contract, leaving behind wages of £325,000 per week. His time at Stamford Bridge saw him spend nine months without making a single first-team appearance.
This absence from competitive action left Sterling unpracticed and understandably lacking in match fitness when he finally stepped onto the pitch in the Dutch league. Van Persie urged observers to consider this context, stating that Sterling “hasn’t had any team training for months” before passing judgement on the player’s performance.
The backlash online has been particularly harsh, with an account called FootballPark, which has nearly 100,000 followers, comparing Sterling to “Bambi on ice” and questioning his future in football. They claimed his debut “looked like a veritable disaster” from Feyenoord’s perspective, suggesting he has been on a “downward spiral since 2022” and lacking motivation.
Many social media users added to the vitriol directed at Sterling following his brief appearance. Van Persie argued that such negative assessments after merely 30 minutes of play indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of the circumstances surrounding Sterling’s situation.
Jack Grealish, Sterling’s former teammate at Manchester City, also responded vehemently, defending Sterling and criticizing the online hostility with a strongly worded message. Grealish remarked, “What a f*****g stupid Instagram post man what’s wrong with you guys,” emphasizing the unjust treatment of a player returning from a long injury absence.
Feyenoord will face FC Twente on Sunday, potentially allowing Sterling to build his match fitness under Van Persie’s guidance. The winger will be looking to rediscover the form that once made him one of the Premier League’s finest at Liverpool and Manchester City, but his chances of playing for England in the upcoming World Cup remain slim due to the depth of quality within the squad.
As the pressures of public scrutiny intersect with the reality of a player’s return from long-term absence, this situation serves as a reminder of the often unforgiving nature of social media and its impact on professional athletes.
