BBC pundit Don Hutchison has heaped praise on Chelsea’s potential move for Raheem Sterling, through his comments on Radio Five Live Sport’s Football Daily.
It has been reported the Blues have made the England international their main focus for this summer, as it appears the Premier League champion is looking for a new challenge.
Despite being a regular goalscorer under Pep Guardiola, Sterling struggled to nail down a starting spot in the Manchester City attack last season, with the signing of Jack Grealish last summer only adding to the competition for places.
With the World Cup later this year, it appears the Englishman is looking for more regular appearances as he looks to secure a start against Iran in November.
While some have questioned Sterling’s desire to leave one of the greatest teams ever put together, Hutchison believes the deal could be a real coup for Chelsea, kick-starting their new era under Todd Boehly.
He said: “He’s got a lot of tools in his armoury and I think he’s an amazing talent. He’s at the right age, he can go past players, he’s very very quick, he’s got better as he’s got older. That would be a statement signing for Chelsea.”
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Making a big-name signing is important for the new ownership to immediately win over the Stamford Bridge faithful, although an ability to perform in the Premier League shouldn’t be overlooked.
With that being said, Sterling seems the perfect candidate for this role, with him being a member of the illustrious Premier League 100 club.
While there are links to Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha, the 27-year-old has proven he can contribute at the top of the game, scoring regularly in the Champions League as well as in domestic competitions.
Sterling’s ability to play anywhere along the front line is another crucial trait, with Thomas Tuchel frequently electing for a fluid front line as opposed to a recognised striker.
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