Raheem Sterling flourished for Chelsea once more with the England international scoring a wonderful double for the Blues in their win against Luton Town on Friday

Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring his side’s opening goal for Chelsea against Luton Town (Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)×

 

There was eager anticipation for Chelsea supporters to see how Raheem Sterling would do on Friday evening as the Blues went head-to-head with Luton Town.

The Jamaican-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 England international was superb for Chelsea in their 3-1 defeat to West Ham United last weekend. It was a performance we hadn’t seen enough of from Sterling since moving to the club for £50million last summer.

Was it a one-off? Or was Sterling finally finding his feet at Chelsea? Fortunately, it – right now – appears to be the latter.

Sterling had two early opportunities to open the scoring for Chelsea. The first one was after some good work from his attacking partner in crime Nicolas Jackson, but Sterling could not get his shot past a crowd of Luton defenders. He then did get a shot on goal but his volley was straight at Thomas Kaminski, the only place he could have hit it that would not end up in the back of the net.

He then found the net – and in the best possible fashion. It was what we would describe as ‘typical Raheem Sterling’ but since signing for Chelsea, it has been far from typical. Running in from the right-hand side, avoiding defenders with his tricky, close-controlled dribbling, not worried about being fouled and then finding the back of the net with a calm left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

It lifted what was a rather subdued Stamford Bridge crowd on a Friday evening. At the risk of comparing him to the great Eden Hazard, it was a very Hazard-like moment. A bit of magic that lifts a crowd. A moment that wins a game.

In the second-half, just when things were getting a tad nervy for the hosts in west London, Sterling was on hand to deliver once more. This time, a fine cross from Malo Gusto on the right-hand side found Sterling who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner and ultimately the game beyond Luton.

Mauricio Pochettino was asked about Sterling and his u-turn in form plenty before the game, but the Argentine was quick to play down his own role and gave all the credit to the winger. “Raheem deserves his credit, not our credit,” Pochettino said on Thursday.

But as much as the modest Pochettino rubbishes talk of the impact he has had, it is clear he has had just that. Sterling now looks a completely different player. He finally looks to have a defined role in the team, a purpose – something he did not have under the likes of Graham Potter and Frank Lampard.

Two really different goals, too, which is encouraging. One that was all about the brilliant and quick feet. The other more to do with his positioning and poacher’s instinct in the box. And that assist for Nicolas Jackson – it’s world-class.

Magic and end product? What is this sourcery? It’s unheard of at Chelsea in recent times. Long may it continue.

Long may the upturn in form Sterling is showing right now continue. Long may Chelsea actually winning matches of football continue.

Soucre: football.london