Things change quickly in football. Tomorrow’s star can become yesterday’s man in an instant. A fading talent can suddenly realise their true potential. And in the case of Dujon Sterling, an enforced 18-month absence can be used to fuel an ascent to the top.
That is the path the Chelsea academy graduate is on. And after a year of people curiously asking what had happened to Sterling, the question is now what comes next for the 22-year-old who has thrived on loan at Blackpool this season.
“It’s great being back out on the pitch,” Sterling tells football.london. “Especially after the illness and the injuries.” That second sentence is delivered swiftly, without pause. It betrays the seriousness of the situation the young defender faced.
