Dutch media agree on Raheem Sterling problem in savage verdict after fans taunted him

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Raheem Sterling struggled again for Feyenoord during their 3-3 draw with NAC Breda on Sunday. The 31-year-old's maiden start for the Dutch heavyweights since joining in January fell short of expectations for the four-time Premier League champion.

Still without a goal or assist for the Eredivisie outfit, Sterling's match sharpness has come under consistent scrutiny , though manager Robin van Persie felt it warranted a starting berth in the away fixture.

Nevertheless, an underwhelming hour from the ex-England international prompted the Dutchman to withdraw him - a call Sterling subsequently revealed he disagreed with . The winger said: "I felt good enough to continue, but it is the coach's choice.

"Every player wants to stay on. You want to stay on the pitch. It is understandable that it is not yet possible. It is another new step in the right direction." Sterling has struggled to establish himself in Rotterdam and despite being only three matches into his Feyenoord spell, considerable sections of the Dutch press have voiced concerns about his lacklustre introduction to the club.

Deployed on his preferred left wing, Sterling's display failed to impress. Bart Vlietstra of De Volkskrant drew parallels between the English veteran's arrival and Ivan Perisic's switch to Feyenoord, citing both players' extensive and distinguished careers.

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However, he criticised Sterling's fitness levels and highlighted his diminishing pace - previously the cornerstone of the winger's arsenal. Vliestra wrote: "Van Persie hoped the experienced Raheem Sterling could play that fury.

"The 31-year-old Englishman is supposed to fill Ivan Perisic's role at Feyenoord, but is much less fit and sharp than the Croatian, who is six years older. After three weeks of training and some fruitless substitutions, the 82-cap England international started against NAC, but he frequently lost possession and was beaten for speed on through balls."

De Telegraaf 's assessment of Sterling's displays echoed similar concerns about his match sharpness, with Mike Verweij suggesting the Englishman requires time to recapture the form that established him as one of his generation's most devastating wide players.

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Verweij wrote: "The former player of Liverpool , Manchester City , Arsenal , and Chelsea , among others, had a lot of possession in the opening stages, but with a wasted sprint and a poor touch in a promising position, he underscored that he still needed some time to be an asset. He ultimately left the field after 63 minutes with a yellow card for a frustration-related foul."

AD delivered a harsher verdict on Sterling, despite acknowledging he saw more of the ball on Sunday than in his previous two outings for the Dutch giants. Mikos Gouka was careful to highlight Sterling's lack of pace and shooting power, whilst also noting the NAC supporters' mocking chants directed at the 31-year-old.

Gouka observed: "Van Persie kept Raheem Sterling on the pitch after the break. The Englishman had had more possession before the break than during his anonymous substitute appearances against Telstar and FC Twente, but in moments where sprinting speed was crucial, his lack of fitness once again became apparent.

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