Raheem Sterling’s critics should know better than to write him off. Nobody should be surprised at the winger’s response to being booed off during Chelsea’s calamitous home defeat by Wolves this month. It was typical of Sterling to win back his place in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI and disrupt Manchester City’s title charge by scoring against his old team last weekend.
The 29-year-old has faced adversity throughout his career. He has experienced racial abuse and has also been a trailblazer off the field. However, there are still those who anticipate his downfall. Despite having spent nine years at Manchester City after leaving Liverpool, there remains a belief that Sterling is motivated more by money than by his desire to excel on the field.
Thankfully, Sterling has enough experience to maintain a balanced outlook. The negative reactions he received when he was replaced in the Wolves match did not bother him. Despite being a potential starter in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, Sterling understands that criticism is to be expected and did not react negatively when Pochettino decided to bench him for the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Aston Villa three days later.
The competitive drive became apparent. Chelsea had a strong comeback against Villa, with Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, and Noni Madueke leading the attack in a 3-1 victory. It seemed likely that Sterling would be pushed to the side, as he didn’t quite fit into Chelsea’s focus on developing young talent. He joined during the chaotic first summer under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership, but it’s doubtful that they would now pursue someone of his profile. The club’s values have shifted, as evidenced by their lack of signings over the age of 25 last summer.
However, Sterling has made efforts to retain his impact. This was evident when he substituted in the 79th minute during last week’s match against Crystal Palace and played a crucial role in Conor Gallagher’s game-winning goal. Additionally, he played a significant role in Pochettino’s counterattacking strategy against City, displacing Madueke from the lineup. His performance was exemplary as he latched onto Jackson’s clever pass, evaded Kyle Walker, and calmly scored the first goal of the game.
Sterling did not look as if he was coasting. Although he has not met expectations since joining Chelsea, he is desperate to make the move a success. He understands that the club is at the start of a rebuild. It has been nothing like the frictionless environment he experienced at City, where everything moved so smoothly on and off the pitch.
This is an opportunity to change the story. Sterling has previously won the League Cup five times with City, so facing Liverpool at Wembley is not unfamiliar to him. However, the situation is interesting. This is the first men’s final for Chelsea’s owners and Sterling has expressed that winning would be satisfying after all the negative comments about the club in the past two years.
Instead of taking the easy route and moving to Saudi Arabia, Sterling stayed with Chelsea last summer. Despite being considered a key player and earning a high salary, his time with the team was short-lived as manager Thomas Tuchel left and Sterling struggled with injuries and playing out of position. Many had hoped he would score more than nine goals in the season, and even Todd Boehly attempted to motivate him after a loss to Brighton.
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Sterling did not react negatively to Boehly’s involvement. He came back for pre-season in improved physical condition. There is discussion of his display of leadership abilities by dedicating time to mentoring Chelsea’s up-and-coming players. He has taken care of Palmer since the midfielder’s transfer from City.
However, the primary focus is on Sterling’s performance. While he started the season with promise, it was not enough to persuade Gareth Southgate to include him in the England squad. Other players in his position have surpassed him, and considering he hasn’t played for his country since the World Cup, it seems unlikely that he will make the Euro 2024 team.
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The only way for Sterling to persuade Southgate to reinstate him is by consistently performing well. Sterling is not flawless, as he has had inconsistent times this season and his choices can be aggravating. However, he is thriving under Pochettino’s guidance. The manager has boosted Sterling’s confidence by allowing him to play creatively and utilizing his speed against strong defenses.
A manager who trusts his players is beneficial. When Sterling is feeling secure and self-assured, he is able to outplay any opposing full-back. He has performed well against top teams this season and has solid statistics. In the league, he has scored six goals and provided three assists. His recent goal against City puts him ahead of Steven Gerrard, with a total of 120 Premier League goals.
It doesn’t seem like Sterling’s performance is declining. Some believe that his reliance on speed has led to burnout, a common issue for players who start young. He has played a lot of games, and is no longer the young prodigy who first joined Liverpool 12 years ago.
However, this is not necessarily a negative situation. Sterling has grown and developed into a well-rounded individual. The past year and a half have been challenging, but Sterling does not see an end in sight. He is accustomed to facing pressure. Chelsea will have high expectations for him to perform well on Sunday.
Source: theguardian.com
