Vincent Kompany says he hopes Raheem Sterling can turn his career around as he continues to train away from Chelsea’s first-team squad.
Sterling failed to secure a move away from Chelsea in the summer transfer window and will now remain at Stamford Bridge until at least the January transfer window.
The 30-year-old has been exiled from Enzo Maresca’s squad since returning from last season’s loan spell with Arsenal and gave fans a bleak insight into his current schedule this week when he posted an update from Chelsea’s training ground at 8.21pm.
Kompany, meanwhile, played alongside Sterling for four seasons at Manchester City and the pair helped the club win six major trophies, including two Premier League titles.
The former City defender will now be looking to get his Bayern Munich side off to a winning start in the Champions League as they host Chelsea at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
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When asked about Sterling’s situation at Chelsea, Kompany said in his pre-match press conference: ‘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.’
Speaking last week, Maresca made it clear that there is no way back for Sterling, Axel Disasi and David Datro Fofana at Chelsea this season.
‘First of all, they are Chelsea players and have contracts with the club, but at this moment they are still training apart,’ Maresca said.
‘Since the start of the season, I haven’t seen them.’
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