Raheem Sterling's unveiling as a Chelsea player is all but an official announcement away. David Ornstein has said that Manchester City and Chelsea have agreed on a fee of £47.5 million.
Chelsea conducted a medical on July 10, according to the Evening Standard, and Sterling will leave to join the Blues in Los Angeles for their pre-season camp.
He has been a fixture of Premier League football for a decade and is still only 27 years old. Chelsea have signed the likes of Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, and Hakim Ziyech and brought through Callum Hudson-Odoi, but none came close to Eden Hazard.
Sterling would be that incisive dribbler and creator with an eye for goal and could be used in three different ways. Those three ways are listed and explained here.
#1 As a left-winger - Raheem Sterling's natural position
Raheem Sterling has always preferred to play on the left wing. At Liverpool, he played as a left-winger alongside Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, while at Manchester City, he played 181 games on the left-hand side.
From the left-wing, the player tends to cut in and score more goals. He scored 70 goals and assisted 41 from the left-wing position.
Chelsea have Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic, who prefer to play on the left-hand side, while youngster Harvey Vale is an option on the right. These three are flexible, though similar to the Englishman.
If Thomas Tuchel wants him to maximize his scoring potential, this position would be a better fit. He thrives on back-post runs, and Reece James will provide brilliant deliveries.
#2 As a right winger - Well rounded
Manchester City fans tend to prefer Raheem Sterling on the right-hand side. He has made 103 appearances for City in this position, scoring 43 goals and providing 46 assists.
While goal-scoring takes a hit in this position, the number of assists remains consistent. He can use both feet, but as a right-winger, he can provide more cutbacks and crosses into the box.
A potential link-up with Reece James would be exciting, but Ben Chilwell would provide a similar link-up on the left-hand side.
Sterling on the right would also allow Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic to play their preferred positions. While he can play in this position, the 27-year-old is also coming in as Chelsea's highest-paid player with a reported wage (as per Sports Illustrated) of £300,000 per week. He is likely to play in his preferred position on the pitch.
#3 As a false nine - An emergency situation
Raheem Sterling played 28 games as a striker for Manchester City, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists. If Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are not available for selection, Tuchel could use the Englishman in this position. He is good at dropping deep and creating space for others, and his link-up play is just as brilliant.
He has striker-like instincts in the penalty box and would thrive on service from both flanks. Dribbling and taking on players are his main attributes but would be diminished in a central position. A second striker role next to someone like Kai Havertz could be an emergency option Tuchel could use in a game.
Considering these three positions, Sterling will gravitate towards playing on the left-hand side of the attack. He is coming to Chelsea to be the starter, and Tuchel is bringing him to the club for this role.
He wants to be the main man, and while the Jamaica-born player could be switched around on occasions, he will probably play a free role similar to Eden Hazard. Fans are very excited for the season to begin.
Zowdekmou
0
GALLON
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
0
they forgot to include him as a penalty creator
Vuhabceosu
2
I think so far dis is de possible line up
SamCombo
3
Sterling can be use in three positions 1.Diving 🤸🏾♂️ 2. Super Diving 🤾🏾 3. Extreme Diving 🤾🏾🤸🏾♂️
Beatsbybox
3
I honestly think it will be difficult for Man City to replace Sterling’s production just like that. Its certainly not gonna be Grealish.
AlAzeem
0
I know deep down you are in pain
lol. of course I love the signing because he will be a perfect fit for the Chelsea
Leabcdituy
0
perfect signing for Chelsea FC. I hope injury wouldn't hold him down tho
I know deep down you are in pain
Leabcdituy
0
I know man city are jealous now. You don't know what you have untill you lose it. I sorry for man city for selling Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.
SubashChandru
1
Sterling is a useless player lol
go-to see Checkup Sterling stats only player played top 3 clubs in England Liverpool Man City Chelsea
SubashChandru
2
Sterling can play this position LW RW SS LM RM CF
AlAzeem
3
perfect signing for Chelsea FC. I hope injury wouldn't hold him down tho
matbdels
0
Oga already done ✅ deal I don’t know what you want again
😂😂
C_7
0
Sterling is a useless player lol
zepcpsz
0
Exactly so,we as blues want only done deal concerning steering
diucdrz
0
Good
victoremy
5
Sterling always reminds me of Pedro back then in Chelsea. There speed is awful
yutcklpstu
2
TT will use him as a wing back
bowacdin
0
Oga already done ✅ deal I don’t know what you want again
yes, but they need to present him to supporters
pocaelnrz
1
he should first be unveil before this analysis. we're tired of the torment.
arikewusola9901
4
This guy is just amazing😍🤩
Easytemple-CR7-CP10
0
Pls All Football we want to heard Done deal
Oga already done ✅ deal I don’t know what you want again
Alfred-90G
1
Pls All Football we want to heard Done deal