Former England international Phil Neville has said that Raheem Sterling would struggle to get into the team at Chelsea.
The Liverpool midfielder has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer after he confirmed that he had turned down a contract extension with the club, with Chelsea and Real Madrid among those thought to be interested.
However, Neville told BBC Sport: "I don't think he would get into Chelsea's team with Diego Costa there. Would he make Manchester City's team with Sergio Aguero there? Manchester United with Wayne Rooney there?
"It has been horrifically mismanaged, not just this week. I was reading about this last April. This is a 20-year-old who should just be concentrating on playing football. I think Liverpool have to play hardball with Sterling. As for Sterling, it is fine having agents, but at some point you have to take ownership of your own career and say 'I want to sign a contract. I am at the right club at the right time.'
"At the moment, he is at the best club who are helping him to develop and giving him a platform to play. They have stood by him and given him a good contract. He has 27 months left on that contract. In two years, if he wants to play with Real Madrid and his career goes in the right direction, he will still be able to do that. But at the moment he should get on with playing football."
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Sterling will not be leaving the club in the summer.
Sian Cowper
