Chelsea summer signing crucified as former Blues man delivers ‘absolutely terrible’ verdict

A former Chelsea man has described summer signing Raheem Sterling as “absolutely terrible” during the Blues’ loss to Brighton.

Sterling was one of the Blues’ marquee signings in the summer. Indeed, Chelsea paid £50million to prise the England international from Manchester City.

He arrived at Stamford Bridge with a lot of expectation on him. He had scored 109 goals and provided 77 assists in 331 Premier League appearances between City and Liverpool.

What’s more, the winger had just won his fourth Premier League title. Chelsea were adding a serial winner to their front line – seemingly a good move.

Sterling got off on the right foot, too. Indeed, in his first five league games, he scored three goals – including a brace against Leicester City – and provided an assist.

The forward also scored and assisted one goal each within his first three Champions League games as a Chelsea player.

Since then, he has failed to have much of an impact. Indeed, Sterling has neither scored nor assisted in any of his last six games.

He was left out of Graham Potter’s side in the league game against Wolves in early October.

Pundit savages Sterling

Chelsea had been on a tremendous run under Potter. Indeed, since the manager took charge – after swapping Brighton for Chelsea – they went on a nine-game unbeaten streak.

However, that came crashing to an end against his former side on Saturday. Indeed, Chelsea were handed a massive defeat, losing 4-1 away from home.

While it would seem that no player particularly performed well, Sterling, in particular, received some flak. Former Blues man Pat Nevin was not afraid to show his feelings on Sterling’s performance.

“I’m watching Raheem Sterling right now and I’ve said that Graham Potter has got the best from every player since he has been there, with one exception,” he said on the BBC.

“If he keeps playing the way he is right now, he’s not even a consideration for the World Cup. He is having a really really bad time and today he is having an absolutely terrible game.”

The winger was hooked after 63 minutes. By that point, the Blues were already 3-1 down, and things got worse, as Brighton added their fourth in stoppage time.

Sterling will come good again

While he might have had a bad game, Sterling is sure to come good. Players don’t have that big of an impact for some of the league’s biggest sides for years without being top performers.

It would not be a surprise if he drops a great performance in one of Chelsea’s next games.

As for the World Cup, it would be a massive shock if Sterling was not on the plane. Gareth Southgate tends to prioritise form for England, and Sterling has played very well for his country over the past few years.

Having a good World Cup campaign could well mean he returns to Chelsea ready to show people in the league that he has still got it.