Raheem Sterling refuses to sign Manchester City shirt while on tour with Chelsea

Posted Monday, July 18, 2022 by sportbible

Raheem Sterling has been branded "disrespectful" after appearing to refuse to sign a Manchester City shirt following his move to Chelsea.

Sterling, 27, signed a five-year deal with the Blues earlier this week, leaving City in a £50m transfer after seven successful years at the Etihad.

The England international confirmed the move with an emotional letter on social media in which he thanked City, his former teammates, managers, and the club's fans.

But he has risked angering City supporters after appearing to refuse to sign the club's shirt while on tour with Chelsea in the United States.

In a clip circulating on social media, Sterling is seen signing shirts and posing for photographs with a number of excited Chelsea supporters.

One fan holds up a City shirt to be signed but Sterling appears to snub the supporter.

"It's weird that Sterling refused to sign a City shirt at Chelsea's pre season camp, seems a bit disrespectful,” wrote one fan on Twitter.

Another added: "This is really sad to see from Sterling, 7 years at Man City and you can't sign on the City shirt again?"

However, others have defended the former Liverpool forward, with one fan commenting: "I don't see anything wrong with Sterling refusing to sign a City shirt.

"Feels like people are looking for excuses to hate on him."

Sterling linked up with the Chelsea squad ahead of their opening pre-season friendly against Mexican side Club America, which ended in a 2-1 win for the Blues at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Timo Werner put the Premier League side ahead early on in the second half before a calamitous own goal from Reece James levelled the scores.

Mason Mount then scored a brilliant winner to secure a hard-fought victory for Thomas Tuchel's side.

Sterling did not feature in the match but could make his debut for Chelsea when they face Charlotte FC in their next pre-season friendly on Thursday.

Chelsea will then take on London rivals Arsenal and Italian side Udinese in their remaining friendlies before opening their Premier League campaign away at Everton on August 6.