Sterling dressing room revelation shows extent of grim Chelsea season

In pictures: Chelsea v Brentford

Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has come clean on life in the Stamford Bridge dressing room as the Blues lumber towards a dismal bottom-half Premier League finish, claiming that he and his team-mates are often left ‘staring into space’. The England international signed from Manchester City in a £47.5million deal last summer, but things haven’t gone to plan so far.

Sterling headed to west London in pursuit of a more prominent first-team role after slipping down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola. While he is often called upon to start, the 28-year-old has also formed part of Chelsea’s most problematic area on the pitch.

Goals have been a persistent struggle for the Blues this campaign. A dreary record of 30 in 32 Premier League matches has left them in 11th, considerably closer to the relegation zone than the top four. 

Sterling himself has only managed six goal contributions in 23 league appearances, with Chelsea woefully underperforming after Todd Boehly’s lucrative transfer spree since taking the reins from Roman Abramovich.

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“You can’t have positives every day in life,” Sterling told The Sun. “Sometimes you have lows. I haven’t been in this situation in my career so far but I am more than up to the challenge.

“We are disappointed when we come off the pitch and feel angry and disappointed. There are times when we finish a game you just sit in the changing room looking into space because you can’t understand what has just happened. It’s tough to take. You are always trying to look for a positive solution.

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“It’s not easy. The feeling of winning games week in, week out is one that everyone in the dressing room is used to. So it’s what we enjoy and we want it back. To not have it this year is not the best. Performances haven’t been at the level they should, mine included. I haven’t been anywhere near my usual level.”

Chelsea have sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter this season, and stand-in boss Frank Lampard is merely the next to find difficulty in selecting an effective front-line. Sterling has often been asked to play centrally rather than out wide, although the former City star is prepared to do his bit for the team.

“It’s not easy. The feeling of winning games week in, week out is one that everyone in the dressing room is used to. So it’s what we enjoy and we want it back. To not have it this year is not the best. Performances haven’t been at the level they should, mine included. I haven’t been anywhere near my usual level.”

Chelsea have sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter this season, and stand-in boss Frank Lampard is merely the next to find difficulty in selecting an effective front-line. Sterling has often been asked to play centrally rather than out wide, although the former City star is prepared to do his bit for the team.

“I haven’t complained about not playing in my position,” he added. “I have come here with the intention of trying to do my part as best I can. From when the owners took over things have moved pretty fast.

“There have been a few turnovers in terms of coaches, people higher up than coaches have changed as well, it has been a process, a learning curve for everyone. And as a football club we are trying to get it right and we will get it right. It will take time but that doesn’t mean we accept it.”

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