Paul Scholes thinks Arsenal, a team vying for the Premier League title, would “improve” if they signed Raheem Sterling, an unwanted star from Chelsea.
After being excluded from the Premier League opener against Manchester City and subsequently barred from first-team training, Sterling’s time at Chelsea looks all but done.
The 29-year-old was left out of the starting lineup against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge last weekend, raising concerns over his future at the team despite being anticipated to play a major role under new manager Enzo Maresca this season.
After downplaying Sterling’s absence at first, Maresca acknowledged earlier this week that the winger was no longer working out with Chelsea’s first squad and that he need to go.
That has left Sterling around a week to find a new club before the summer transfer window closes at the end of the month, with several foreign and Premier League clubs now exploring a deal.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are believed to be in talks with Chelsea but Scholes believes Arsenal could do worse than bringing Sterling to north London.
Arsenal were linked with a move for Sterling 12 months ago and Scholes insists he would ‘improve’ a squad that is attempting to finally win the Premier League after back-to-back second-place finishes.
‘I think he’d improve your [Arsenal’s] squad,’ the Manchester United legend said on The Overlap with Sky Bet. ‘I don’t think he’d improve the team, I don’t think he’d be a starter.
‘But then again I do think you need those numbers, you need 16 or 17 players. It’s ok having 12, 13, 14 that are good, and if they stay fit then great you’ve got a good chance, but you still have to go deeper into your squad.
‘And I think Sterling would be a good squad player for them.’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta worked with Sterling while he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and has fuelled rumours he could reunite with the player at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta fuels transfer rumours
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta admitted he had ‘really strong feelings’ for Sterling.
‘My time with him was exceptional,’ Arteta said. ‘I think we built a really strong relationship together.
‘He was unbelievable at the time we worked together and he taught me a lot as well about individuals and how players think, how we give them support and help them.
‘He’s someone that I really have strong feelings about.’