Very thoughtful and very deep.
Two quotes stand out for me:
"Here we are five years later and they are still trying to build — around the same position in the league as when I left.”
and
“Right now I do not think that winning trophies is more important than being happy. I have realised that winning the Champions League [as he did with Chelsea in 2012], it does not change how you feel every day. I have realised the target should not be the main thing in your life; taking life day by day is key.
Time flies, I've almost forgotten that FSG were here the same season that Torres left.
Additionally, that last quote should be drilled into young players to avoid the "Sterling mentality". Striving for success should be appluaded, but in reality, only a few teams consistently win trophies and even then it tends to be in phases or periodic forms of success. Choosing clubs solely for the purpose of picking up trophies should be something to consider in your late 20s or early 30s. In the meantime, finding a place to grow and enjoy the game, the squad, the manager, and the atmosphere within the club, should probably be among the top priorities.
He sounds like someone that got what he wished for and in hindsight realised he'd already had what he was chasing after, and what he chased after wasn't a sweet as he'd expected.