In Focus: Rejuvented Raheem ready to cause a Ster

Disruption has been the theme of Raheem Sterling’s 2022-23 campaign — but things may be about to pick up for Chelsea’s No17.

Changes of club, manager and position have left the 28-year-old forward struggling to find his usual consistency for the Blues, while a break-in at his family home three weeks ago effectively ended his World Cup participation with England.

Ahead of his side’s return to Premier League action against Bournemouth tonight, we look at how Sterling can put a troubling period behind him and get back to his best.

Upheaval

Given what has gone on since summer, it is little wonder the former Manchester City man has not been firing on all cylinders for his new club.

The Three Lions ace ended his seven-year stint at the Etihad in July, frustrated with a lack of consistent game time and buoyed by the prospect of working under Champions League-winning coach Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.

Yet only a month after Sterling made his first league start for his new club, Tuchel found himself sacked with Brighton boss Graham Potter swiftly hired as his replacement.

Not only had Sterling lost the experienced tactician that had lured him to London, but he also found himself filling in gaps during the early period of Potter’s tenure.

Since the former Seagulls coach took over, he has deployed the England international on both flanks, as an attacking midfielder, a central striker and even at wing-back.

Brief flashes

Chelsea fans have at least had a small taste of what Sterling can bring to the party when on song.

Under Tuchel, he notched four direct goal involvements in five Premier League games — most memorably bagging a brace to single-handedly drag a 10-men Blues side past Leicester.

And while he is yet to properly catch fire under Potter, his goal against Dinamo Zagreb prior to the World Cup break will have left the 47-year-old coach rubbing his hands.

Receiving a loose ball inside the area, the forward took two neat touches to manoeuvre away from a pair of opposition defenders before effortlessly stroking into the bottom corner.

Passionate celebrations after that strike hinted at underlying frustration — the mark of someone desperate to show his new fans what he is capable of on a more regular basis.

World Cup woe

Sterling’s recent frustrations continued in Qatar when, after starting and impressing in both of England’s opening World Cup games, he found himself making an unplanned trip home.

A break-in at his house in Surrey prompted the winger to travel home and check in with his family first-hand — a decision backed by his national boss Gareth Southgate.

Though he would return to the Middle East a week later, he played just 11 minutes of the Three Lions’ quarter-final defeat to France, unable to make any telling impact. 

Considering he will be 31 by the time the next World Cup comes around, Sterling would be forgiven for cursing the timing of the incident.

Of England’s current crop, only Harry Kane betters his 20-goal tally and he will hope to still play a leading role in his nation’s Euro 2024 campaign.

Manager’s backing

Potter believes the four-time Premier League winner is well positioned to put a testing recent period behind him.

The Chelsea boss explained this week: "He’s good, as good as you can be [after the break-in]. 

"There’s nothing we can do now other than make sure he’s as secure as possible with his family. That’s the most important thing.

"The World Cup experience for him was positive. Speaking to him, he’s positive about it and he enjoyed it.

"He’s come back like the rest — focused and looking forward to the game, knowing that we can all do a little bit better. We can all perform better so we’re all itching to try to do that."

Opportunity knocks

If Sterling is to get back among the goals and assists, this festive period looks a prime opportunity to kick start a hot streak.

First up is a home clash with a Bournemouth outfit that have conceded a league-high 37 goals, before a New Year’s Day trip to strugglers Nottingham Forest.

Those two fixtures should warm him up nicely for a second reunion with his former employers with Manchester City visiting West London on January 5.

Pep Guardiola’s men find themselves eight points behind league leaders Arsenal ahead of their clash with Leeds and can scarcely afford to drop any more points in the coming weeks.

If their former No7 builds up a head of steam in the next week or so, he could yet have a leading role to play in this season’s title race.