Why I’m super excited about this latest Chelsea signing – Joe Cole reveals finally reveals
As we all know that Raheem Sterling was acquired by Chelsea FC from Manchester City, and Joe Cole has expressed his enthusiasm about the move, saying that the finest years of the England international might still be ahead of him.
This week, the Blues made Sterling their first official signing of the summer transfer window as Thomas Tuchel decided to bolster his squad before the new season.
With Sterling at the helm, Manchester City has had recent success under Pep Guardiola. The former Liverpool FC player won four Premier League championships since relocating to The Etihad in 2015.
The 27-year-old will now anticipate becoming a regular member of the Chelsea FC squad next season as the Blues look to defend their Premier League championship and move up from their third-place showing from the previous campaign.
Cole, a former player for England and Chelsea FC, shared the field with Sterling while the two were teammates at Liverpool FC. The former winger has high expectations for the Blues’ newest addition for the upcoming season and beyond.
Speaking in an interview with Chelsea FC’s website, Cole said: “He’s a great man now but was a great kid. He was very mature, very driven and a fantastic talent. He was one of those where you expected him to become a player.
“The longevity he has had is incredible and he’s still young. Arguably, Chelsea could be getting him in his best years.”
He continued: “He’s probably looked at Chelsea and thought there’s an opportunity for me to be the main man here. I think it’s Raheem wanting a new challenge.
“I’m excited, it’s the first signing of the new era and it is what I call a signing for now. You’re not concerned about there being a period of adjustment. There might be but you’re buying someone to produce the goods in the first game of the season.”
Meanwhile, Blues boss Tuchel described Sterling as a “huge asset” for the south west London side, claiming that the England winger can help to “shape” the Chelsea FC team in the coming years.
“Hopefully he shapes our team by just being who he is,” Tuchel told BBC Sport. “He will be a huge asset for us.”
Sterling has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea FC to keep him at the club until the summer of 2027.