Raheem Sterling: A Reinvigorated Chelsea Star Gives Hints of His Comeback

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With nine goals in 38 appearances for Chelsea in all formats last season, Sterling has been a significant presence.
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Observing Raheem Sterling’s performance on the pitch, it’s easy to know when he’s on top form. The evidence? The opponents’ reactions whenever he touches the ball.

When Sterling’s in form, you can see his opponents bracing themselves: their muscles tense up, shoulders jerk back, eyes sharpen. They know something’s coming, and it might not be pretty.

His play against West Ham last Sunday was a chaos-inducing display, tormenting the Hammers’ defense with his agility, willpower, and direct approach. He might have ended up on the losing side, but his standout performance was widely praised, with Micah Richards calling it “scintillating” on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club. Garth Crooks referred to him as the “shining light” in his team of the week.

These compliments have been uncommon lately for Sterling, who struggled with both form and fitness during his first year at Chelsea, marking his lowest offensive yield in ten years.

However, after giving Liverpool a tough time on opening weekend, Sterling’s back-to-back standout performances are a beacon to his persistent critics.

Although it’s too early to draw any conclusions, these performances suggest a rejuvenated, motivated player eager to prove his worth and reclaim his role as a standout player for both club and country.

Sterling, 28, has been clear in his desire to get back on track and he’s putting in the work to make it happen.

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Reflecting on his struggles during the 2022-23 season, Sterling acknowledged that diet and weight gain had contributed to his hamstring issues, causing him to miss key games. He now says he has made the necessary changes with one simple rule – eat less – and the positive results are evident.

Sterling noted changes in his diet at the end of last season and emphasized being in “a great place” heading into the new campaign.

Liverpool and West Ham have already experienced his renewed force.

Sterling’s clever coordination with his wing-backs has presented a challenge for defenses. His confident play and ability to find space make him a tricky opponent, creating opportunities for his teammates.

His newly discovered confidence to take charge of the ball and aggressively move forward has been a significant factor in this transformation.

Sterling’s intelligent play contributed to Chelsea’s leveling against Liverpool, and his performance at West Ham, with six successful dribbles and involvement in a penalty, was even more impressive.

Statistics from fbref.com highlighted Sterling’s game-high performance at London Stadium.

Micah Richards expressed the general sentiment about Sterling: “This is the Raheem we know and love and want to see week in, week out.”

His fresh look and direct approach have been praised, contrasting the more sophisticated strategies popular among players today.

Sterling’s 2022-23 season was a difficult one. His move to Chelsea, following seven successful seasons at Manchester City, resulted in struggles both on and off the pitch.

He was the first significant signing under the Todd Boehly-led takeover, during a season that saw £550m spent on new recruits.

A turbulent season for Chelsea ended with a 12th-place finish, and Sterling, like many others, had his troubles.

Chelsea’s failure to secure a suitable striker meant Sterling had to adapt to an ill-fitted role, and he seemed to be lost in a team that lacked stability.

Sterling’s offensive stats season by season:

This summer’s squad overhaul has ushered in a new era, and under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, Sterling seems poised to take on the next phase of his career.

As a mature, experienced player, is it time for him to step up and guide a young team?

Sterling’s life lessons have equipped him with resilience, determination, and gratitude, making him an invaluable asset in molding the new team into champions.

And let’s not forget about England.

Sterling’s struggles last year led to a fall in his ranking in the England forward line. He missed out on the Euro 2024 qualifiers but remains an asset for national coach Gareth Southgate.

Once an essential part of the team, it seems likely that Southgate will call upon Sterling again if he continues to show this form.

To gauge whether Sterling is ready to rejoin England, one only needs to watch the reactions of Premier League defenders when he has the ball.

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More about fokus keyword Raheem Sterling

• Raheem Sterling’s Profile
• Chelsea Official Website
• Premier League Official Site
• England National Football Team
• Stamford Bridge Venue Information
• BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club
• England’s Euro 2024 Qualifiers Schedule
• The Players’ Tribune Article by Sterling