In a surprising turn of events during Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Manchester City, Raheem Sterling left football fans astonished with a forceful challenge on former teammate Phil Foden.

Sterling, a standout player under Mauricio Pochettino’s management, played a pivotal role as Chelsea held treble winners Manchester City to a 4-4 draw. The dynamic winger netted a goal in the 37th minute, contributing to his team’s performance alongside Erling Haaland and Thiago Silva.

However, despite Sterling’s offensive contributions, additional goals from Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, Manuel Akanji, Rodri, and Haaland resulted in a shared outcome at Stamford Bridge. As the game entered its final stages with the scores level, Sterling’s challenge on Foden near the penalty area caught Chelsea fans off guard. The forceful tackle resulted in a free kick for Manchester City, but Kyle Walker’s subsequent shot sailed over the crossbar.

Social media buzzed with reactions to Sterling’s intense tackle, with some fans playfully suggesting that it might not aid his return to Gareth Southgate’s England squad. One fan humorously commented, “Sterling just tried to get his place in the England team himself by smashing Foden.” Another quipped, “Sterling trying to get in the England squad by slicing Foden in half.”

Despite the jest, Sterling’s omission from the England squad earlier in the week led to frustration among fans. Southgate addressed the decision, stating, “We don’t need to know about his quality, his personality. He is a crucial part of why we’ve had the journey we’ve had over the last few years.”