Bayern Munich boss, Vincent Kompany, has reacted to Chelsea’s decision to ban Raheem Sterling from their main squad.
The Belgian manager said he hopes the England winger turns his career around.
Sterling has continued to train away from Chelsea’s first-team squad as Enzo Maresca would not have him in the Blues’ first team anymore.
The winger could not complete a move out of Stamford Bridge in the summer, meaning that he will remain at Stamford Bridge until at least January when the transfer window reopens.
The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Arsenal but failed to secure a permanent stay at the Emirates Stadium.
Kompany and Sterling were teammates at Manchester City where they played four seasons together, winning six major trophies, including two Premier League titles.
Kompany will lead his Bayern Munich side against Chelsea in the Champions League at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
During his prematch press briefing, the former defender was asked about Sterling’s situation at Chelsea.
He said, “It’s a tough one because on the one hand I have a lot of respect for Enzo [Maresca] and my colleagues at Chelsea. I understand it’s not easy to make a decision as a coach.
“On the other hand, Raheem is one of my former teammates and that bond always remains.
“It’s funny because last year I had Leroy Sane here as well and those two were devastating in the Premier League when they were part of the team I was part of.
“The only thing I can hope at this age, because he’s still at a good age, is that he can turn it around and show the whole world what his quality is and eventually be in a situation where everything fits for him and he fits for where he is, and hopefully that can happen sometime soon for him and I wish him all the best.”
Chelsea boss, Maresca, has already made it very clear that Sterling, Axel Disasi and David Datro Fofana are not part of his plans at Chelsea.
