The England international signed a five-year £325,000-per-week contract in 2022, relocating his young family in the process in a move that has not worked out in West London. Sterling ended up staying at Chelsea when the transfer window shut, despite the club being desperate to sell and now he will be at the side until at least January.
Unless the Blues and Sterling reach an agreement over a severance package for the £30m remaining on his contract, he will be staying. However, despite frustration from fans who want him and his huge packet out of the club, Malouda spoke to Boyle Sport about how he should be made to feel welcome.
"The first thing about Raheem Sterling is that he earned this contract through his performances. So I believe at this moment, he is not part of the plan, but he's still a good player.
“We will mention injuries; it's not like there was an issue where you'd say: ‘OK, let's cross this player. We don't want him anymore'. I don't like the topic of his wages or the money involved.
“He earned his contract, and everybody was fine with it. Now it's more about how, as a club, you consider your players and how you bring them back to full confidence. I'm sure Raheem Sterling, in full confidence, without injury problems, terminating his contract wouldn’t be an option.
“The perspective must change. That comes with conversations, honest conversations, because you need players like him, but at his best level. While he's still a Chelsea player, we should do everything as a club for him to feel at home. I think that's the best way to get the best out of a player like Sterling."
Manager Enzo Maresca has already made it clear that the player doesn’t feature in his plans for the future but if a deal cannot be reached with him to leave then the Italian may have to include him in the side even if he acts as a mentor to young players.