‘He’s a threat to arsenal’ – Pat Nevin says Arsenal defender couldn’t handle £50m Chelsea player
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
In the riveting clash between Chelsea and Arsenal that culminated in a 2-2 draw, Pat Nevin was quick to observe that Raheem Sterling gave Oleksandr Zinchenko quite a torrid time. Sterling played a pivotal role in securing a penalty for his side in the first half, and Nevin, providing commentary for the BBC, noted that Zinchenko and the Arsenal defense struggled to contain the winger’s incisive runs. Sterling’s exceptional form was not an isolated incident, as he had previously excelled in Chelsea’s 4-1 victory against Burnley before the Arsenal encounter, contributing with a goal and earning a penalty for Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
This resurgence marks a stark turnaround for the 28-year-old, who had encountered considerable challenges in his debut season at Stamford Bridge following his £50 million transfer from Manchester City, as reported by BBC Sport. In his first campaign, Sterling managed to score only six Premier League goals.
Nevin’s commentary during the London derby painted a vivid picture of Sterling’s impact, stating, “Zinchenko has a real problem on his hands. A nominal left-back that we know likes to step up into midfield, but every time he does, Sterling has him in behind.” This assessment highlights Sterling’s ability to exploit the spaces left behind by Zinchenko’s advanced positioning.
Sterling, who was left out of England’s last two squads, is gradually becoming a game-changer at Chelsea. If he maintains this level of performance, it’s reasonable to anticipate his return to the England national team.
The previous season was a challenging one for Sterling and Chelsea as a whole, with the Blues finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table. Various factors, such as the managerial transition from Thomas Tuchel to Graham Potter early in the season, may have contributed to Sterling’s difficulties in adapting to Stamford Bridge. However, the current season presents a more promising outlook for both Sterling and Chelsea.
Next on the agenda for the Chelsea star is another intriguing London derby, as Pochettino’s squad makes a short trip to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford next Saturday.
