Chelsea supporters on social media were delighted that Dujon Sterling had joined up with Thomas Tuchel’s senior squad ahead of next season.
Sterling uploaded a few training-ground snaps from the pre-season camp yesterday onto his Twitter.
The 21-year-old spent last season with the Under-21s, having gained some first-team experience with Wigan Athletic in 2019/20.
He has been with the Blues since the age of eight and made his senior debut in 2017.
It now appears Tuchel wants to give him a chance with his group, which certainly pleased a large proportion of Chelsea fans.
Here’s how they reacted to his latest upload:
U are our Hakimi
— Pys (@CFCPys) July 13, 2021
We know you’re impressing Tuchel, Dujon. 👀
— ▪ (@_ShuBhamCFC) July 13, 2021
Keep it up!
Better than Hakimi. Go on and smash it this season at the Bridge 🙏🏽💙
— KanteNation (@sethaadusei) July 13, 2021
Better than Hakimi already🤩💙
— Dan⭐️⭐️ (@itz_dan08) July 13, 2021
Brilliant to see you back training with the first team Dujon! All the best the next few weeks 💙👊🏼
— CarefreeYouth (@CarefreeYouth) July 13, 2021
Come on bro. Grab the opportunity. 💙
— Santhosh (Champions of Europe 2021🏆)💙🇮🇳 (@Blues_Santhosh) July 13, 2021
Who needs hakimi 😍
— lewis (@CfcLxwis) July 13, 2021
Many associated with Stamford Bridge will be hoping Sterling can finally breakthrough into the big time.
His development post-academy stage has been stop-start and therefore stunted somewhat.
Under Antonio Conte, he trained regularly with the men’s squad but found his opportunities had dispersed after Maurizio Sarri took over.
He joined Coventry City then Wigan on loan, yet didn’t properly play for the Latics until late October due to suffering an Achilles injury.
A hamstring problem then kept him out for several months; by the time the right-back had recovered, covid-19 had kicked in.
During the first lockdown, Sterling caught a serious, career-threatening illness. He then contracted covid-19 as well.
For everything he’s been through, it’s only right he rubs shoulders with Tuchel’s team for the time being.
According to football.london, the defender impressed Chelsea’s manager during the April international break, having already been an admirer during his time at Borussia Dortmund.