Gus Poyet does not think Raheem Sterling will be able to replicate what he has done at Manchester City if he joins Chelsea. Both the Blues and Man City are hopeful of striking a deal regarding the sale of Sterling in the near future, football.london understands.
Sterling is into the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and is open to moving in order to find more regular first-team football elsewhere. Chelsea believe they can offer him just that and are very interested in bringing the 27-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
Over his seven-year spell with City, Sterling has netted a superb 131 goals in 339 appearances in all competitions. He's evolved into a goal-poacher thanks to the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.
READ MORE: Raheem Sterling has already revealed where he is at his 'best' as Chelsea ready transfer offer
Sterling has also developed an understanding of playing in all of the positions across the front three. He is most often used on the left-hand side, but has also been picked on the right wing and even down the centre on several occasions.
Former Chelsea star Poyet thinks Sterling, if he does indeed join the Blues, as expected now, could find it difficult to reach anywhere near the level he has at Man City. Speaking to Lord Ping, Poyet said: "Raheem Sterling used to be a wide player, getting the ball in one-versus-one situations into the box – now he's transformed his play style and is more of a goal scorer, but that was at Man City. I don't know if he can do the same at Chelsea.
"If Sterling joins Chelsea, it'll be down to Thomas Tuchel looking for a specific characteristic. Maybe he thinks that he's missing that kind of wide player as Chelsea have been linked with Sterling and now Raphinha. It will be interesting to know who is leaving if they both sign because that will mean they will have six or seven players for just two positions."
Meanwhile, Chelsea continue to be loosely linked with a sensational move for Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil star Neymar. Poyet, though, has his doubts over how well the 30-year-old would adapt to the physicality of the Premier League.
He added: "Chelsea shouldn't try to sign Neymar. I think he will stay at PSG. I think after [Kylian] Mbappe announced he was staying and with their ambition to try and win the Champions League, I cannot see him leaving. I don't think he would adapt to English football with how physical it is. I can't see him joining Chelsea."
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