The transfer window is a few days old and it's already clear it's going to be a busy one for Chelsea. The Blues would see some movement both in and out of the club in an ideal world as Thomas Tuchel looks to rebuild his team after the early departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
While Chelsea's backline and midfield is crying out for attention, the uncertainty over Romelu Lukaku's future and that of the players that flank him leave an opportunity for a forward to come into the club. No offers have been forthcoming for the likes of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic thus far, but the Blues are understood to have held talks with Ousmane Dembele, while bringing Raheem Sterling to the club is also being considered.
The latter has won four Premier League titles with Manchester City in addition to four League Cups and an FA Cup trophy but has entered the final year of his contract under Pep Guardiola. Could Chelsea be his next destination? football.london spoke to Manchester City writer Alex Brotherton to get the lowdown on the England international and why the Citizens would consider letting him depart.
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Brotherton explained: "After incredible campaigns in 2017/18, 18/19 and 19/20, Sterling has never really been the same since project restart in the summer of 2020. He was underwhelming in 20/21 and looked like he could have left last summer, but in the end he stayed. He was very good between November and February this season, but then he started to influence games less again. City and Guardiola want to keep him, but Sterling is yet to agree to new terms with only a year left on his current deal.
"City have a clear stance: if a player wants to leave then the club won't stand in their way, as long as they bring a suitable offer to the table. Guardiola does not want players in his squad who don't want to be there. Sterling could be persuaded in my opinion, unless he decides that after seven years at City he wants a new challenge."
As with most names flouted in connection to Chelsea, supporters are soon divided. That has been no less true with Sterling where his ability in front of goal has been vehemently debated. This remains particularly pertinent as Thomas Tuchel searches for a figure he can rely on in front of goal.
Lukaku was the Blues' top goalscorer in 2021/22 with 15 goals while Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Timo Werner were the only other stars to hit double figures. Sterling netted 17 times for Guardiola's side last season and has 131 goals in 339 appearances in all for City.
"The idea that Sterling is a poor finisher is a myth," said Brotherton, "Although it's true that he is an inconsistent finisher. He's an attacker whose goals tend to come in bursts, as he relies on confidence. The glaring misses that we've seen over the years tend to come during dry spells, whereas when he's in-form he's incredibly cool in-front of goal, as we saw for England at Euro 2020.
"He's also capable of scoring spectacular goals from outside the area, but he has to be in a confident mood for that. When he's in a bit of a rut, Sterling can be very indecisive in-front of goal, even when bearing down on the goalkeeper."
Brotherton believes Sterling is best utilised on the wing, rather than as a replacement for Lukaku, if Chelsea do make the signing. He said: "Guardiola has played him as a false-9 or striker on occasion, but in my opinion he is far better on the left or right wing. While Sterling is well equipped to unlock tightly packed defensive sides with his trickery, he is at his best when he has space to run into and take people on.
"He often found himself in those kind of situations in 2017/18 and 2018/19, but City focus more on possession and patient build-up now than they did then. If Tuchel used him on the right wing, he could be devastating."
