Exclusive: Why Sky pundit thinks Wrexham AFC must avoid Chelsea, Raheem Sterling transfer - 'you could see him at Ipswich' | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on Raheem Sterling potentially joining Wrexham

Lee Hendrie has claimed that Raheem Sterling would not be a good fit for Chelsea following Dean Saunders’ suggestion the forward should seek a move to the Championship side.

It was reported by GOAL that the 61-year-old advised the former England international to take the step down to the second tier amid his lack of game time at Stamford Bridge.

The winger has not played for the Blues this season since returning from his loan spell at Arsenal in the summer. Sterling has been part of the proverbial "bomb squad" at Chelsea, having failed to really kick on in West London following his £50 million switch from Manchester City in the summer of 2022.

Sterling’s last appearance came on 25 May earlier this year, starting for the Gunners in their 2-1 win over Southampton during the final day of the campaign.

Wrexham are in the second tier for the first time since 1982, with Phil Parkinson’s side competing in the top half of the table through the first half of the term.

Lee Hendrie warns Wrexham against Chelsea, Raheem Sterling deal - Ipswich Town claim made

Hendrie has disagreed with Saunders regarding a potential move to Wrexham for Sterling, suggesting that he wouldn’t be a good fit for Phil Parkinson’s side.

He also believes that the Chelsea player could still compete at a Premier League level despite his lack of game time at the moment, and that maybe even a move abroad would make more sense, or even Ipswich Town or Middlesbrough if he were to drop into the Championship.

“I’d probably disagree with Deano on that, I don’t think he’d be a fit that would be right for Wrexham,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“Particularly, the way they play, I’m not sure Raheem would be the one, unless they had him and played him as a bit of a luxury role where he could play off the front and be that luxury attacking player.

“I’m not sure that they’d play that way, and counter for that, I think they are looking for promotion.

“Could he fit into a Championship side? Yeah, I don’t see why not, maybe you could see him at an Ipswich or maybe a Boro or somewhere like that.

“I still think he could offer something in the Premier League, I really do.

“Even if you’re looking at the lower end of the Premier League, I think he has got ability, it’s whether he wants to take that on and take that drop, that’s the other question.

“I think it takes some finances to take him into the Championship because I’m sure there will be lots of offers for him to go abroad and elsewhere.

“I could see that not being a fit for him at Wrexham.”

Wrexham are currently 10th in the Championship table after the first 18 games of the campaign, having earned 26 points.

Parkinson’s side had a busy summer transfer window following their promotion from League One, and are now set for a quiet January.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Sterling, who has a contract with Chelsea until the summer of 2027.

Next up for Wrexham is a trip to face Preston North End on 6 December in a 3pm kick-off.

Raheem Sterling deal wouldn’t make sense for Wrexham

A move for Sterling would be a big splash just for the sake of it for Wrexham, as the cost of this potential deal wouldn’t be worthwhile.

The forward struggled at Arsenal on loan last year, and is nowhere near Enzo Maresca’s side, so it would take him time to get back up to the speed of the game.

His wages at Chelsea are also massive, and he would still command a big salary even with a pay cut, which wouldn’t be financially viable for Wrexham given Sterling’s ability at this stage of his career.

Wrexham have spent big money in the Championship, but their biggest deals have been focused on younger players like Callum Doyle and Nathan Broadhead, which is a smarter use of their resources.