After Raheem Sterling’s lackluster start at Feyenoord, former Netherlands international Rene van der Gijp criticized the winger and suggested he think about retiring.

After mutually leaving Chelsea in January to join Feyenoord, Sterling has had difficulty making an impression in the Eredivisie, recording just one assist in five games.

Van der Gijp stated, “He should just go to Robin van Persie and say: let’s stop this,” in an interview with Willem & Wessel. This is not going to be successful.

“This isn’t good for me, for you, or for the club. You’re not really helping anyone with this. He should just go to Ibiza, put on his swimming trunks and eat a delicious paella with his wife. Then he’d be having a great time. But this isn’t going to work out for him anymore. What a shame.”

Sterling’s latest outing came against Ajax, where he was substituted after 55 minutes by head coach Van Persie as Feyenoord chased an equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Fellow Dutch football figure Willem van Hanegem echoed the criticism, saying: “He just wasn’t there again, no. If I were them, I would ask for my money back and say: just go home. You shouldn’t put a player like that through. He used to be a good player… but that’s about it.” Despite the criticism, Van Persie has indicated he is willing to give Sterling more time to regain form.

“The most important thing is winning matches during this period of Raheem getting fitter and fitter,” he said. “I believe he’s making steps… at the same time, I want to see more impact off the ball, more impact on the ball.”

Sterling, who has not featured for England since the 2022 World Cup, signed a short-term deal with Feyenoord that runs until the end of the season.