Raheem dreaming of England return after electric start to season

Raheem Sterling's electric form has been one of the stories of the Premier League season so far.

The Chelsea forward suffered a disappointing first campaign in West London but has been inspired so far this term, impressing at West Ham before scoring twice and assisting another against Luton on Friday.

With Euro 2024 on the horizon a return to his best for one of Gareth Southgate's most trusted lieutenants is timely.

Confidence crisis

Fears that Sterling's best days were behind him were exacerbated in May when Southgate revealed that he was not fit enough to be included in the England squad to play Malta and North Macedonia.

The Three Lions boss said the forward told him he was not "operating at the level he needs" and with the Three Lions' other wide options impressing, Sterling's international future seemed in doubt.

But that break seems to have injected the 28-year-old with new life.

He has worked on his sharpness over the summer, committing to a new diet and reinvigorating a love for football that seemed to evaporate last season.

Poch love

Sterling responds well to love from his managers, performing best for Manchester City when Pep Guardiola had a clearly-defined role for him and excelling at Euro 2020 when Southgate put him front and centre for England.

And after a season of coaching chaos at Stamford Bridge, it appears that Mauricio Pochettino is having a similar effect.

After scoring twice against Luton on Friday, Sterling said: "Against Liverpool, I was inside the pocket a bit too much and that was my feeling all last season — I was too deep and I was playing the ball to the full-backs.

"We had a simple conversation. He [Pochettino] said, 'Raheem, it does not matter where you play, if you apply it and you're dynamic, you're aggressive, no one can stop you. Just be aggressive with the ball.'"

Return to form

Explosiveness is a key element of Sterling's game and has been in full flow so far this season.

The 82-cap international has attempted more dribbles than any player in the league so far this season and executes them in dangerous areas, none to greater effect than for his opener against Luton on Friday.

But it is perhaps his second goal against the Hatters that most represents a return to form.

His ability to sniff out opportunities in the box has been fundamental for City and England over the years and the way he found space in front of the defence to sweep home was reminiscent of his heyday at the Etihad.

Chief creator

Sterling's impact is also a result of Pochettino allowing him to influence the game all over the pitch.

While the 28-year-old has predominantly stuck to the right-hand side, where his link-up with wing-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto has impressed, he has been encouraged to make his presence felt all over the pitch.

Such is the responsibility of being Chelsea's chief creator that the platform has been laid for Sterling to consistently show the form that saw him star for City and England.

And with the next Three Lions squad named this week, he will believe he has earned his place back in the fold.