The summer transfer window just got rather exciting. As you definitely know, Raheem Sterling signed a deal with Chelsea after spending 7 wonderful years at City.
Many people don’t know it, but Raheem is only 27 years old. That may come as a surprise to many of you simply because his career is rather rich. Sterling was born in Kingston, Jamaica, before moving to London, England at the age of five. He began his career with Queens Park Rangers before signing for Liverpool in 2010. A versatile player, he has been deployed on both wings as well as through the centre of midfield.
He has won the PFA Young Player of the Year award once and the FWA Footballer of the Year award once during his time at Liverpool. In July 2015, following protracted contract negotiations and a transfer request, Sterling transferred from Liverpool to Manchester City. With the City blues, he won 4 Premier League titles.
Today, he can proudly call himself a London Blue, as he wears the royal blue of Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel wanted Sterling at his club, but at which position does Tuchel see Sterling?
There are three possible options.
Winger
If you are a betting man and you wanted to rest a bit from analysing those World cup odds, you would definitely say that Sterling will play as a winger at Chelsea. When you consider where he played at his previous clubs, that is a sensible bet. Sterling is still pretty young and he has the skill and the pace to be one of the best wingers in the league. That is especially true when you consider that he will have Reece James on the right side with him. As a winger, he could have the most assists in the Chelsea team next season.
False Nine
It is safe to say that Thomas Tuchel does not love this position. But, that may be so because he didn’t have the right player for that position in the past. Back in the day, Pep Guardiola knew to play Sterling as a false nine, but that was easy for him to do when he had Aguero and Jesus in the front, and Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne behind them. Sterling definitely has the quality to be a good false nine, but that is the least possible scenario.
Shadow Striker
Many people who are analysing this transfer window, think that the best possible position for Raheem Sterling at Chelsea is the shadow striker. Sure, Chelsea hasn’t used this position last season, but that is because they didn’t have a player like Sterling. With Havertz as a striker, Sterling could fit perfectly as a shadow striker. The two of them could be rather prolific in front of the goal. That is especially true if you know that they will have Reece James on the right, Ben Chilwell on the left, and Mason Mount in the middle to serve balls on a silver platter.
One thing is for sure, Raheem Sterling will be dangerous in front of the goal next season.
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