On 21/08/2023 at 01:24, STATS said:

Was simply brilliant today. I get it, he has not fully hit off in a Chelsea shirt, but some of the overreactions to him and demands to start certain players over him is just pure ludicrous. I have said before though, fans are like Jekyll and Hyde. He will put in a good game then suddenly fans will be like there is a really good player there then the minute he puts in a bad performance, it is back to square one. I am seeing people saying Madueke is not good enough now. Anyway, it is a shame no one else was really on his wavelength today. Absolutely terrorrised West Ham.

I'm not a fan. I think he's been dreadful since joining, but I really liked the way he played on Sunday. Hope it wasn't a one-off.

10 minutes ago, Backbiter said:

I'm not a fan. I think he's been dreadful since joining, but I really liked the way he played on Sunday. Hope it wasn't a one-off.

In his defence, he didn't finish the season too badly when mostly everyone was dreadful!

3 hours ago, Modueke said:

In his defence, he didn't finish the season too badly when mostly everyone was dreadful!

Let's be honest Mod he hasn't shown any level of consistency nor produced anything near the level of performance he did against West Ham. Yeah he was alright against Liverpool but he didn't set the game on fire. However on Sunday he looked like the Sterling of old. The Sterling that Liverpool had. Just turning and running at defenders is what he used to be all about. And he caused loads of problems.

TBH I didn't think that type of game was left in him. He proved me wrong for sure. But it is not enough to be that player once in a Blue moon. He is experienced, he is fit, he has players around him this season to work off. He should be leading by example. That level of performance has to be delivered regularly. I'm expecting big things from him against Luton on Friday.

Not disagreeing with any of that at all @just I'm just saying he wasn't looking too bad at the back end of last season, well, at least better than most were playing back then!

Just now, Modueke said:

Not disagreeing with any of that at all @just I'm just saying he wasn't looking too bad at the back end of last season, well, at least better than most were playing back then!

Personally I felt Madueke was showing a lot more when he got a run of games. Both from an attacking and defensive viewpoint. 

TBF it wasn't easy for them, or any of our wingers / midfielders, without a recognised striker to aim for. Let's hope they can both deliver for us this season!

Perhaps Sterlings perked up because now he is playing in an attacking team, instead of an ultra defensive don't risk giving the ball away style.

I think he just said f**k it when he got the ball and just ripped West Ham a new one pity the players around him are still getting up to speed. I expect the same going forward 

9 minutes ago, El regreso said:

I think he just said f**k it when he got the ball and just ripped West Ham a new one pity the players around him are still getting up to speed. I expect the same going forward 

Desperate to see the same Sterling on Friday. I still get the feeling that once these players break the seal and start clicking and scoring we'll be lethal.

EDIT: Just have to remember that Sterling is a 70 minute player, then he looks knackered.  We want the same Sterling but manage his substitution.

Edited August 23, 20232 yr by WhiteWall

6 hours ago, El regreso said:

I think he just said f**k it when he got the ball and just ripped West Ham a new one pity the players around him are still getting up to speed. I expect the same going forward 

It was a good performance but let's not gloss over the fact that on 5 or 6 occasions, possibly more, a better pass or touch from him would (should) have led to a great chance. He messed up a great run from Jackson so many times. Reminded me of first month Torres playing in front of Kalouda. We could have Haaland upfront but he'd be getting no change out of some of these guys.

On 23/08/2023 at 01:40, just said:

Let's be honest Mod he hasn't shown any level of consistency nor produced anything near the level of performance he did against West Ham. Yeah he was alright against Liverpool but he didn't set the game on fire. However on Sunday he looked like the Sterling of old. The Sterling that Liverpool had. Just turning and running at defenders is what he used to be all about. And he caused loads of problems.

TBH I didn't think that type of game was left in him. He proved me wrong for sure. But it is not enough to be that player once in a Blue moon. He is experienced, he is fit, he has players around him this season to work off. He should be leading by example. That level of performance has to be delivered regularly. I'm expecting big things from him against Luton on Friday.

I have always thought he is capable of performances such as Sunday's, but it's the bolded part that I am actually doubtful about. Sterling was signed to be an experienced leader but i've not seen anything from him either at Chelsea or City that suggests he is that sort of player. It's a career defining moment for him, IMO.

hats off to Raheem 🤣

 

Im sure he's a very good lad behind the scenes. I really hope he finds the net and players for goals this year. Lets hope to see continual improvements because he could become vital to any aims we have... I guess some of you on here will probably object to our aims being tied to him but given he is a full international and league winner, his price in comparison to some of our signings this year is cheap as chips. 

Time to start delivering Mr Sterling. Have a great season if you bother reading these threads. 

 

2 hours ago, evissy said:

hats off to Raheem 🤣

 

Fair play to him actually to do this 🤣🤣 also I know why he did the Clarks thing it’s big part of his culture back home.

Really impressive vs West Ham, and long may that continue.  It’s bizarre to see anyone with any sort of form, but other players will build confidence from what he is doing.  We need to keep building him up - could be quite important this season and beyond.  I really hope he scores tomorrow as no idea where else the goals will come from!

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/player-quotes/so-so-sharp-newcastle-player-claims-50m-chelsea-man-is-simply-incredible-after-training-with-him/

Good article. Absolutely spot on IMO.

As one of his few defenders who wanted us to keep him this summer, I feel vindicated by his performances. Always had a feeling he would flourish under Poch, if he can keep up his form that's one clinical finisher we have.

Not trying to point any fingers but one of my main points still stands, the manager have a lot of impact on individual players performances.

It was almost astonishing to me that large parts of the fanbase wanted Raheem Sterling of all people sold. It was almost like he was made a scapegoat for Potters and ultimately Lampards faults and yet he's proved himself to be one of the best players in the league for years and years.

Fingers crossed for a top season from Sterling, certainly gotten off to a stop start.

1 minute ago, Frankie8Lampard said:

As one of his few defenders who wanted us to keep him this summer, I feel vindicated by his performances. Always had a feeling he would flourish under Poch, if he can keep up his form that's one clinical finisher we have.

Fair play .. he has turned me a believer with his last two performances.. was incredible against West Ham and the first goal today was Messisque..

He's giving a very interesting and honest pitch side interview on SKY right now.

Revitalised, he’s found a yard of pace that appeared to have deserted him. Two good finishes, hope he can keep this up as his experience is vital,in such a young team. Nice touch by Poch to take him off near the end allowing him to feel some ‘love’ from the crowd.

The Sterling we have seen in this first few games is the Sterling I haven't seen since his early days at City with Sane. As good of a coach Guardiola is, he really does make entertaining footballers boring to watch.

13 minutes ago, charierre said:

Revitalised, he’s found a yard of pace that appeared to have deserted him. Two good finishes, hope he can keep this up as his experience is vital,in such a young team. Nice touch by Poch to take him off near the end allowing him to feel some ‘love’ from the crowd.

Brought up last seasons frustrations in his post-match interview. Didn't like playing with his back towards goal etc and now feels and plays much better when he can do what he excels at.

Also when directly asked about mindset, "came at a difficult period, EXCUSES but that's now all finished"

I mean shots fired 😂

Edited August 25, 20232 yr by OriginalS

23 minutes ago, OriginalS said:

Brought up last seasons frustrations in his post-match interview. Didn't like playing with his back towards goal etc and now feels and plays much better when he can do what he excels at.

Also when directly asked about mindset, "came at a difficult period, EXCUSES but that's now all finished"

I mean shots fired 😂

Oof

I find that he was very mature. He's seems to acknowledge that he was a problem and he's fixing it. 

Best player in the team so far this season. Showing captaincy style quality and character. 

Hope I'm not speaking too prematurely but I'm really liking the look of this Sterling.

Never really liked him that much if I'm being honest, and I felt last season he just didn't give a sh*t and I was happy to hear Todd Boehly singled him out given he is a star player and an experienced one at that. I like the positivity coming from him at the moment, seems to be a good inspiration for the other youngsters coming through, and he's putting in some good performances and getting the goals we so desperately need. 

Keep it up Raheem, we need you!