Former England striker Michael Owen has shared the only condition for Raheem Sterling to continue his football career after being sidelined at Chelsea.

Owen, who once played for Liverpool and Manchester United, said Sterling is in a tough spot after failing to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge during the last summer transfer window.

Sterling has now been frozen out of Chelsea’s squad this season. Reports say the winger refused to accept moves abroad or lower his wages to join smaller Premier League clubs.

“It’s a tough one with Raheem,” Owen told 247Bet. “He’s on very high wages, and he didn’t really take his chance at Arsenal.”

Recent updates from Chelsea suggest that Sterling has been forced to eat alone and even use a separate toilet from the rest of the team.

The 29-year-old reportedly rejected wage cuts that could have allowed clubs like Fulham or Crystal Palace to sign him. He also turned down big-money offers from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer.

Owen believes that for Sterling to leave Chelsea, he must accept a big reduction in his wages and join a smaller club.

“Sadly, the only path for him now is probably a move to clubs like Crystal Palace or West Ham,” Owen explained, as quoted by Metro.

“But that will only happen if he’s ready to take a big wage cut. Some people will say, ‘You’re already rich enough.’ If he feels financially secure, then maybe he will make that choice.”

Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022. Since then, he has made 59 appearances for the Blues and scored 14 goals.

Last season, he went on loan to Arsenal, but his performances failed to impress Gunners fans.