Raheem Sterling shared his complete admiration for former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge.
During a video on the VERSUS YouTube channel, Sterling spoke completely honestly and glowingly about the ex-Stamford Bridge player.
Chelsea’s summer signing and Sturridge first fully became acquainted when the latter joined Liverpool in 2013.
Sterling had already been at Anfield for three years before his fellow compatriot walked through doors, having just departed Chelsea after being there for a handful of campaigns.
The pair played together 46 times for the Reds and were part of that Premier League title-challenging team of 2013/14.
They also shared the pitch for England on ten occasions, including at the 2014 World Cup and the preceding European Championships.
Sterling loves Sturridge
There is a clear bond between the past and present Three Lions, one that Sterling discussed in such delightful terms.
“Dan, Studgy D, is cold with it. The dress sense, he’s got his own little style going on. He just tried to create an environment, which he did all the time at Liverpool or at England, it was always a feel-good factor, always laughing, smiling. It could be the biggest game and he could be clowning about,” said the 27-year-old.
“He is someone I really looked up to, he gave a lot of advice. But he’s also someone you’d call a friend, a good honest individual that you could trust.
“He has a heart of gold and he wanted nothing but the best for me. He’s someone that you’ve always got to a respect and someone I’ll always show love to.”
Their on-field relationship ended when Sterling moved to Manchester City in 2015, another of Sturridge’s old flames.
Whilst Sterling soared to new heights with City, his close friend gradually went in the opposite direction.
Sturridge joined West Bromwich Albion on loan in 2018, before tasting a term at Trabzonspor.
He is currently lapping up the Australian sunshine with Perth Glory.
It’s been the South West London rain for Sterling since joining Chelsea after over half a decade of service under Pep Guardiola.
His switch to Chelsea has been pretty cloudy so far, but hopefully a strong World Cup can clear the grey away.
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