Chelsea followers have referred to as on their membership to promote ahead Raheem Sterling after one other sub-par show in pre-season.
The Blues took on Borussia Dortmund of their last pleasant fixture previous to the beginning of the 2023-24 Premier League season. They performed out a 1-1 draw on the Soldier Area in Chicago. Marius Wolf scored for the Germans, whereas Mason Burstow netted an 89th-minute leveler for Chelsea.
Sterling began the match on the precise wing. He accomplished 19 of his 25 passes and gained two fouls, however misplaced possession 14 occasions, performed no key passes and dedicated two fouls. The Englishman gained solely 4 of his 12 duels and accomplished simply one among his 5 dribble makes an attempt earlier than being changed by Lewis Corridor within the 81st minute.
It meant Sterling ended Chelsea’s pre-season with a solitary help in 5 pleasant matches, failing to make constant significant contributions within the last third. His show in opposition to Dortmund gave the impression to be the ultimate straw for some followers, who lashed out at him on Twitter.
One fan tweeted:
“Sterling is horrid man”
One other wrote:
“Cannot defend him anymore (sic)”
A 3rd consumer tweeted:
“Must go”
Listed below are some extra reactions:
Sterling’s poor pre-season follows a troublesome debut marketing campaign with Chelsea after arriving from Manchester Metropolis on a payment value £47.5 million final summer season. The winger, 28, scored simply six Premier League objectives in 28 appearances and 9 in 38 matches throughout competitions.
These figures had been a far cry from his time at Metropolis, with Sterling scoring greater than 15 objectives in all competitions in 4 of his final 5 seasons with Pep Guardiola’s aspect.
“We’re assured that we will get the most effective from him” – Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino on Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling evidently struggled for continuity final season, with the Blues going via 4 managers in what was a tumultous marketing campaign. This was an enormous change from Manchester Metropolis, the place he performed underneath the identical boss in Pep Guardiola from 2016 to 2022.
Chelsea have appointed yet one more supervisor forward of the 2023-24 marketing campaign in former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine tactician, in an interview final month, said that he and his workers will work to convey the most effective out of Sterling.
Pochettino stated (as quoted by the BBC):
“I feel he is an vital participant for us. He is in our plan. He can present to the crew many various issues. We’re assured that we will get the most effective from him to assist the crew to realize what we would like.”
As one of many extra skilled members within the crew, Sterling may play a vital function as Chelsea purpose to return to Europe after ending final season twelfth within the Premier League. Pochettino’s first official task will likely be their league opener in opposition to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on August 13.
