Raheem Sterling's career in freefall as he faces prison term

Limited reliable evidence suggests that former England winger Raheem Sterling's career is in a state of collapse, with the 31-year-old facing a prison term next month after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide. The Guardian Football reports that Sterling's bleak tale is a reminder of the absurd path young footballers face.

Sterling's fall from grace is starkly contrasted with the success of his former England teammate Harry Kane, who continues to break records as England's captain and has hit a personal high of 73 goals last season. Sterling, meanwhile, is without a club and awaiting sentencing after the incident that witnesses feared might kill someone.

Multiple sources have painted a complicated picture of Sterling, with one describing him as a "lost soul" and another believing he has been "hopelessly misguided" in his life and career. To understand his fall, it is pertinent to remember the magnitude of his rise, from being a Liverpool prospect to an England star and marquee Chelsea signing after huge success at Manchester City.

Sterling's career has been marked by a series of controversies, including a racially motivated attack outside Manchester City's training ground and being racially abused by Chelsea supporters during a match at Stamford Bridge. He has also been accused of being arrogant and having an attitude, although one source who worked closely with him describes him as "polite and charming".

Sterling's treatment at Chelsea was harsh, with the club ultimately deciding to sell him due to his personal life and ability to play in the team. He was loaned to Arsenal, where he scored once, and then chose to rebuild his career under Robin van Persie at Feyenoord, but it was disastrous.

Sterling's future remains uncertain, with the court reconvening in November to determine his sentence.

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