A phone call from Thomas Tuchel and Raheem Sterling's mind was made up. That was enough for Chelsea to take a big step in completing their first senior men's signing of the Todd Boehly era.
Last month, with Chelsea's keen interest in Sterling already known to the public, Tuchel picked up the phone to speak to his top transfer target. The talks between the Chelsea head coach and England international were said to be positive as Tuchel explained his vision at Stamford Bridge.
There was interest from elsewhere, too. Real Madrid had been keeping an eye on Sterling because of his contractual situation at Manchester City. Tuchel sold Chelsea to Sterling, though. He lured the 27-year-old to west London. It's what the elite managers can do.
