Raheem Sterling received harsh criticism follow his debut for Feyenoord after joining on a free transfer from Chelsea
Robin van Persie has defended former Arsenal and Chelsea star Raheem Sterling after criticism on his Feyenoord debut.
Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie has come out in support of new recruit Raheem Sterling following a debut that was compared to ‘Bambi on ice’. Sterling, 31, appeared rusty after being introduced as a second-half substitute in Feyenoord’s 2-1 victory over Telstar last Sunday.
This was perhaps understandable, given that the former Manchester City star’s last competitive outing came in May 2025 — his final appearance during his loan stint at Arsenal.
Sterling had found himself frozen out at Chelsea, who eventually agreed to cancel his contract after six months of training away from the first-team setup.
His display drew sharp criticism from the Dutch press, with Van Persie branding some of the commentary as ‘inappropriate’.
“If you have a little sense of context, where he comes from, what he’s achieved in the past, and that he hasn’t had any team training for months,” the Feyenoord boss said.
“I understand that there are expectations of an absolute top player, but to criticise him like that after half an hour – his first half hour after over six months – then you really don’t understand anything at all.”
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Van Persie continued: “A large part was positive, but some of it was also quite Dutch. Being blunt about everything that everyone thought wasn’t right.
“If you’re five or six weeks in and you think he’s not delivering, okay, then you have a point. But to throw out such strong opinions based on his first half hour, I thought, was inappropriate.”
Sterling’s former England and Manchester City colleague Jack Grealish also leapt to the winger’s defence following criticism of his debut on social media. One Instagram account had posted: “The English winger looked like Bambi on ice.
“On a downward spiral since 2022, lacking motivation, and seemingly unable to play under anyone who isn’t named Pep Guardiola, Sterling is well and truly into his twilight years. Is it time to hang the boots up once and for all?'”.
Grealish fired back at the user, commenting: “What a f*****g stupid Instagram post man what’s wrong with you guys. Guy hasn’t played or trained for so long. Ppl like u guys is what wrong with the world. Have some respect.”
Sterling looks set to feature in Feyenoord’s squad when the Dutch side make the trip to Twente this Sunday.
Van Persie’s outfit currently sit second in the Eredivisie standings following three consecutive victories, however they find themselves a considerable 14 points behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven.
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