Raheem Sterling confronted masked burglars armed with a knife to protect his children during a break-in at his home, it has emerged.
The Chelsea winger, who has not featured in the club’s first-team squad this season, was the victim of an attempted robbery on Saturday evening around 7pm, an hour before Chelsea’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling and his family escaped unharmed after intruders tried to break into their house. It was initially believed that the burglars fled without stealing anything after realising the property was occupied.
However, it has since been confirmed that the 30-year-old England international confronted the men in an effort to defend his children, Thiago, aged eight, and Thai Cruz, aged six.
The perpetrators may have assumed Sterling would be at the stadium for the match, which Chelsea went on to win 3–0.
A spokesperson for the player confirmed the incident, describing it as “the ultimate violation of privacy and safety,” while expressing relief that Sterling and his loved ones were safe.
The family has requested privacy as they recover from the ordeal.
Thames Valley police said they were conducting a thorough investigation and urged anyone with information or who noticed suspicious activity in the area to come forward.
Chelsea said they were aware of the incident and were offering support to the player and his family.
This is not the first time Sterling has suffered a home intrusion. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he left England’s camp after his home in Cobham was raided while his family was inside. Jewellery and watches worth an estimated £300,000 were stolen.
In 2023, police named three Albanian nationals in connection with that burglary and a series of other break-ins targeting wealthy properties in southern England.
