While it’s common for Serie A’s biggest clubs to do business with each other regularly, the Premier League’s giants rarely engage each other in transfers for big-name players in their prime.
When they do, it’s big news.
Fernando Torres’ move from Liverpool to Chelsea and Robin van Persie’s switch from Arsenal to Manchester United are notable examples from years gone by and the imminent arrival of Raheem Sterling, who also represented Liverpool, at Stamford Bridge is the latest on a sparse but much-discussed list.
While it’s true the England international has been a main character on these shores for almost a decade, it’s important to remember he’s still just 27 years old.
Thomas Tuchel is getting a decorated player at his physical peak, one who has scored 110 goals in all competitions across the last five seasons.
Just last summer, Sterling was the Three Lions’ brightest star at Euro 2020 among a squad bursting with attacking talent.
Dream Team gaffers know better than anyone that, for his faults (and we’ll get onto those in a moment), the prolific winger has provided points by the shed-load year after year.
In 2019/20, Sterling finished as the overall top points scorer.
Last season, he bounced back after a sluggish start to bank 196 points – only four other midfielders amassed a greater total.
The one-time FWA Footballer of the Year can be a frustrating asset to own at times because he often feels as if he lets easy points go begging.
He’s far from clinical and it’s remarkable how often he squanders seemingly simple tap-ins but it’s only right onlookers recognise that his pace, positioning and sharp instincts are what grant him so many close-range chances in the first place.
When weighing up Sterling’s potential for the season ahead we have to consider the fact he’ll no longer be representing Manchester City – Pep Guardiola’s side have produced the most Dream Team points as a collective over the last five years.
However, it’s not as if he’s jumping down to a mid-table club.
Chelsea have lifted the Champions League trophy under Thomas Tuchel and the German tactician was unlucky not to add to his honours list last season as his side were defeated by Liverpool on penalties in both the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup final.
Sterling may no longer enjoy City’s level of dominance but he can still expect his new side to dictate the vast majority of their fixtures.
And who knows, he may even increase his output as it’s likely he’ll be afforded more minutes in London than he was in Manchester – he started just 23 of City’s 38 league games last term.
When discussing Sterling’s Dream Team viability, his ability to win penalties should also be noted.
Granted, he goes down easy in the box but his low centre of gravity and dribbling ability mean he draws plenty of legitimate fouls close to goal.
In the world of Dream Team, such scenarios earn him an assist if the spot-kick is converted.
Sterling has been an immensely popular asset in recent seasons and it will be interesting to see whether his switch of allegiance has a noticeable impact on his ownership ahead of Game Week 1.
Since you’ve come this far, we might as well reveal the starting price of Chelsea’s new plaything.
Sterling will begin the 2022/23 season at £5.0m.
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