Ben Chilwell insists Raheem Sterling has helped Chelsea on and off the pitch despite his underwhelming first season at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling has scored just four Premier League goals for Chelsea since his £50m move from Manchester City last summer.
The England forward netted 131 goals in 339 appearances at the Etihad, helping Man City win four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup.
But Sterling has struggled to rediscover his best form in a Chelsea side who have slipped to 10th in the Premier League – 11 points outside the top-four and 29 points behind leaders Arsenal.
As a result of Sterling’s underwhelming form, the 28-year-old has been linked with an early departure from Stamford Bridge, although his agent recently dismissed claims he was already looking to leave the Blues.
Chilwell shared a dressing room with Sterling for England before they teamed up at Chelsea and says his international team-mate has been a valuable member of the Blues’ squad this season.
‘He’s a brilliant football player, so on the pitch we all kind of knew what we were getting,’ Chilwell told Parimatch when asked about Sterling’s impact at Chelsea.
‘We knew he was going to impact our team with a lot of goalscoring opportunities, with goals and assists.
‘But of course, me and the boys who play at England know that in the changing room and around the training ground, he has a big impact.
‘Even though he’s still young, he’s very experienced, he’s played a lot of international football, he’s played a lot of club games in the Premier League.
‘He’s brought a lot of experience, which he’s using to help people across the team, especially the younger players.
‘He’s a good addition to the group in terms of his playing style and how he wants to affect the game. And then in the changing room as well, he’s brilliant.’
While Sterling has largely flattered to deceive at Stamford Bridge, he scored his seventh goal for the club on Tuesday night to help Chelsea overcome Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Having booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition, Graham Potter’s side now turn their attentions back to the Premier League and a trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City on Saturday.
First appear at Ben Chilwell insists ‘brilliant’ Raheem Sterling has helped Chelsea on and off the pitch despite underwhelming first season at Stamford Bridge
