Chelsea again failed to qualify for the Champions League for this season, with them having to settle for a place in the Conference League.
There should be a real confidence that Enzo Maresca’s men can add the trophy to their cabinet this season, perhaps shown by the fact they have left Cole Palmer out of the available squad for the group stages at least.
Some of those who left Stamford Bridge over the summer will have the chance to compete at the top level of European football this season though, with this being the case for Raheem Sterling amongst others.
Raheem Sterling sets Champions League record
The England international secured a move to Arsenal on deadline day, where he is still waiting for his first start or meaningful appearance.
Sterling will no doubt feel he has a point to prove after the manner in which he left the Blues, although it was not a record based on what he does on the pitch that he set last night.
According to TNT Sports, the winger became the first player in history to feature for four different English clubs in the history of the Champions League.
As well as the two London clubs, Sterling has experience in the competition playing for both Manchester City and Liverpool too.
Sterling replaced by Jadon Sancho
Sterling was pretty much replaced like-for-like by Jadon Sancho on deadline day, with his countryman enjoying a very promising debut for the club last weekend.
Chelsea fans are already calling for Sancho to start tomorrow’s game against West Ham United, although that will likely depend on whether he is fit enough to take on those minutes.
Sancho trained alone earlier this week as he continues to follow a plan that helps him build full match fitness, with the prospect of 90 minutes something that was not available to him when he was at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.
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