What Enzo Maresca just said on Raheem Sterling as Leeds United transfer update revealed
Leeds United have emerged as possible contenders to sign Raheem Sterling from Chelsea in January, and it appears their chances have improved.
The Englishman has been frozen out by Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge and is currently training with the club’s under-21s alongside teammate Axel Disasi.
That has led to speculation surrounding his future in West London, and Sterling is wanted by Leeds and Crystal Palace ahead of January.
Although Leeds would have to blow up their wage bill to sign Sterling, Daniel Farke recognises that Premier League-proven players are required in attack, and the four-time winner of the competition ticks that box.
Enzo Maresca shares Raheem Sterling update
MOT Leeds News exclusively revealed that Sterling would prefer to stay in London amid links to Palace, although the Whites could offer him something Oliver Glasner can’t.
The former Liverpool winger wouldn’t be guaranteed to start at Selhurst Park, given their wealth of options in attack, whereas he would slot straight into the starting lineup at Leeds.
Admittedly, while capturing someone whose career has followed a downward trend in recent years is a risk, their chances of signing him have increased.
In his pre-match press conference, Maresca confirmed that Sterling and Disasi are helping the young players, suggesting there’s no way back for the duo at Stamford Bridge.
🚨⚠️ Maresca: “Disasi and Sterling are both Chelsea players. Axel is helping the second team, helping the young players as he did during the international break”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 21, 2025
“At the moment, he is helping the second team and helping them”. pic.twitter.com/vt5jpNrfkg
“Disasi and Sterling are both Chelsea players. Axel is helping the second team, helping the young players as he did during the international break”. Maresca said via Fabrizio Romano on X.
“At the moment, he is helping the second team and helping them”.
Could Sterling help Leeds survive?
Sterling’s monstrous £325k-a-week wages make him impossible for Leeds to afford, although there have been talks of Chelsea paying a decent percentage.
Even then, completely blowing up their wage bill for a player short on confidence seems a risk, but it could also pay off handsomely.
| Leeds United | Premier League 2025-26 | League rank |
| Goals | 10 | 18th |
| Goals per game | 0.9 | 18th |
| Expected goals (xG) | 13.1 | 13th |
| Big chances | 22 | 10th |
| Big chances missed | 17 | 8th |
Leeds have scored the joint-second fewest goals in the division (10), highlighting the need for firepower at the top end of the pitch.
Sterling – whose personal best campaign for Premier League goals was 20 for Manchester City in 2019/20 – could help fix their problems.
Of course, they would be taking a gamble on the Englishman returning to his best, but Pep Guardiola’s comments on Sterling could inspire confidence in him becoming an instant hit at Elland Road.
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