Former Liverpool star warns Raheem Sterling: You won't start for Chelsea, Real Madrid or Barcelona!

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Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling would struggle to break into the first-team at some of the top clubs in Europe.

That’s the view of former Reds star Jason McAteer, who has advised the 20-year-old to stay at Anfield this summer.

Sterling has been linked with a move to a host of big names this summer, with Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Real Madrid and Barcelona all interested in his signature.

The Anfield flyer has rejected a £100,000-a-week contract, which Brendan Rodgers described as ‘incredible’, earlier this season, and is believed to be weighing up his options.

But McAteer has warned the England youngster, who has more than two years to run on his current deal, that he will not play should he move away from Merseyside at the end of the season.

“I feel like I need to protect Raheem Sterling a bit,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “His agent is doing all of the damage. He’s the one who’s put him in front of the cameras.

“Sterling’s a naive, quiet 20-year-old. He’s gone about his business very well over the last two seasons. He’s not been on the back pages for anything negative.

“He’s been swayed by his agent, who’s probably told him there are a few clubs interested. He’s saying, ‘I can get you this or that’ and ‘you deserve this or that’.

“The lad should concentrate on his football at the moment. He’s playing week in week out at Liverpool and is adored by the fans.

“If I was to give him any advice it would be to stay where you are for a couple of seasons and learn your trade under Brendan Rodgers. There’s a good young team there at Liverpool.

“If he went to Chelsea, Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich he’s not going to get in the team. He’s simply not going to play.

“For his development, at his age, he needs to play. He’d get that at Liverpool. The money will come to you at 23 or 24.

“You’re going to be on £150-200,000-a-week if you continue to develop the way you are. I’d sit on it, take what Liverpool are offering and develop there.”