TalkSPORT pundit Perry Groves has claimed Chelsea signing Raheem Sterling would give them a player as good as Heung-Min Son and Sadio Mane.
There have been developments in recent days over a potential deal for the 27-year-old, with it being claimed the situation is Manchester City’s next priority to deal with.
The England international fell victim of Pep Guardiola’s embarrassment of riches in attack last season, not starting either Champions League semi-final leg or the last game of the season against Aston Villa.
With the further addition of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, Sterling’s game time is likely to decrease further, reportedly seeing him happy to move away from the Etihad.
His lack of starts last season did not impact his much-improved goalscoring, netting 13 goals in just 23 starts in the league.
His repeated consistent numbers have gone under the radar slightly, with Groves claiming he should be seen on the same level as elite attackers Son and Mane.
He said: “I think they’re at the same level. Maybe because he’s English he doesn’t get the credit he really deserves, I think Sterling would be on the same level as Mane and Son.
“He’s 27 now, at Man City he only started 23 last season even though he was their second top scorer. So he gets the feeling from Pep Guardiola that he’s not going to be one of the main players at Man City.”
The Spurs forward finished the season as the joint top scorer in the Premier League, while Mane enjoyed another stellar campaign as Livepool fell just short of an unprecedented quadruple.
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It feels like Sterling’s numbers have been underrated because of the quality of players that surround him at Man City. However, he has been a consistent goalscorer for a number of seasons now, recently earning himself a place in the prestigious Premier League ‘100 Club’.
Chelsea have been lacking a player with the individual brilliance of the England international since Eden Hazard’s departure in 2019, and are crying out for a shake-up in the attack.
With Thomas Tuchel already reportedly making contact with the player, the club will do well to purchase stars the manager is keen on, for the new owners to show the German has their full backing in the coming season.