Jamie Redknapp was highly impressed with Chelsea's new signing Raheem Sterling in their opening Premier League fixture of the 2022/23 campaign as Mohamed Salah comparisons were made with Tottenham up next.
The £47.5million recruit, despite not being able to score on his debut for the Blues, was the brightest spark in Thomas Tuchel's attack as his constant movement and interchange along the front three caused Frank Lampard's side problems all afternoon. He did score one but was adjudged to have been offside. Arguably too, the 27-year-old could have had a penalty after being manhandled to the ground by Abdoulaye Doucoure in the first half but VAR didn't step in on this occasion to correct Craig Pawson.
Nevertheless, the winger not scoring on his debut didn't take away from the accomplished performance that he put in on the Goodison Park pitch on the opening weekend and this was reflected in his football.london player rating from the affair. His rating read: "The former Man City man was a hive of activity in and around Everton's box, and showed plenty of strength to hold off the likes of Yerry Mina. Sterling has already started to prove he has the ability to beat a player that the Blues have sorely missed. Thomas Tuchel said that he was a priority signing and he already looks like he could be vital for the season. 7."
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Duncan Ferguson and Redknapp were very complimentary of Chelsea's new number 17 with the former Everton coach suggesting to manager Tuchel that his plan with Sterling may not work in the long-term.
"He played well, looked sharp, had a couple of chances, he was always a threat. He’s a top player isn’t he but I don’t see him as a traditional nine, he’s not a fixed nine," the Scotsman told Sky Sports in their post-match coverage of this Saturday Night Football fixture. "Tuchel had Lukaku at the start of the season now he’s gone for a small number nine, I think for that position they need more of presence."
Redknapp went on to draw comparisons with Liverpool's talisman Salah, who scored in the opening day draw to Fulham, and has suggested a way the Blues can use Sterling in their next fixture against London rivals Tottenham next weekend, to ensure that all three points remain in SW6.
"I think he’s a tremendous signing, he’ll get so many goals," Redknapp predicted. "He’s going to get goals and gets in so many areas. I agree with Duncan, when he’s at his best he’s coming in on the far post, breaking the lines, little tap ins. Not being marked by defenders I think, a bit like Salah does getting in at the back post suits him more. But they haven’t got that many other options so he may have to do that he may have to do that against Tottenham."
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