‘I needn’t have worried’: BBC pundit admits he was wrong to start doubting Chelsea player this season

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BBC pundit Garth Crooks has admitted he was wrong to start doubting Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling this season.

Sterling properly announced himself to the Blues fanbase on the weekend by scoring twice in the 2-1 Premier League win against Leicester City, his first goals since a summer transfer to Stamford Bridge from Manchester City.

The 27-year-old winger may not have scored in the opening three rounds of Premier League fixtures, but assisted a goal and looked very lively.

For certain, regular Chelsea watchers will know the England international immediately injected something positive with his dribbling and general movement.

Crooks doubting Sterling

Crooks is big enough to own up to his mistake on Sterling.

It can take players several months to settle into new clubs, but Chelsea’s No.17 is already a go-to player in Thomas Tuchel’s XI. Incidentally, Sterling’s positive influence around the Chelsea squad has already been mentioned by fellow attacker Kai Havertz.

“I thought Sterling was starting to lose the fizz he had gained having escaped Pep Guardiola’s straitjacket,” Crooks told BBC Sport.

“His performances since he left Manchester City have been bright and bubbly but against Leeds he wasn’t great – and in danger of starting to raise questions about the lack of impact he was having on his new team.

“However, I needn’t have worried. Sterling got Chelsea out of jail having gone down to 10 men against a Leicester side who have their own fair share of problems.”

Goals should be guaranteed

You may be wary to say it given the recent history of Chelsea attackers, but Sterling is surely a guarantee to score a decent load of goals every year.

He’s climbed to 111 Premier League goals and counting during an amazing career so far.

Aged 27, you could argue Chelsea are getting the former Manchester City and Liverpool man as he enters his prime years.

It was only a matter of time until he found the back of the net and long may it continue moving forward.

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