Despite causing a retail frenzy in Rotterdam, Raheem Sterling’s Feyenoord debut has been labeled “anonymous” by Dutch media as the former England star struggles to regain match fitness after nine months away.
Raheem Sterling’s highly anticipated Feyenoord debut against Telstar was met with lukewarm reviews from Dutch outlets, who described his thirty-minute cameo as unremarkable.
While his arrival sparked a shirt-selling frenzy, analysts noted the 31-year-old appeared understandably rusty.
De Telegraaf’s Valentine Driessen was particularly critical, characterizing the performance as an “anonymous and lacklustre debut” while suggesting Sterling refused to force himself despite the stadium’s enthusiasm.
Analysts on ESPN suggested it could take ten matches before the former Chelsea winger finds his peak form.
Sterling, who had not played competitively since May 2025, admitted he is focused on a gradual return to fitness.
Reflecting on his first minutes under manager Robin van Persie, Sterling noted: “[I] haven’t played in little bit… it’s just all on building a step at a time.“