The 29-year-old winger released a statement via his team, following his omission from the Chelsea squad on the opening day of the campaign, and Ferdinand have now admitted that he would've done something similar in the same scenario.

During an appearance on TNT Sports, Ferdinand explained: "I think that’s one of the biggest things. I think respect both ways, from the club’s point of view, but also the players.

"I think a lot was made of Raheem Sterling’s statement, but I think the noise is that I’m hearing that there was, there wasn’t any communication to him.

"And I think communication is probably one of the key words as well.

"If there’s no communication from above as to what your role is going to be, given that you’ve been probably playing most parts of the preseason games and all of a sudden, on the eve of kick off at a season, you’re not involved.

"You told your surplus to requirements, but the hierarchy aren’t communicating that, then you have to force the hand of the people in with the power to come and talk and get to the table. And I think that’s what Raheem Sterling, that was the point of his statement. Because I would have done that."

Sterling - who joined Chelsea from Manchester City - has now been told that he's free to leave the Stamford Bridge club.

The former England international was left out of the squad for their first two games of the campaign, and last week he released a statement about his absence.

The statement read: "As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation."