Raheem Sterling hopes to win the Champions League with Chelsea and says his summer move to Stamford Bridge from Man City was necessary after the "massive surprise" of losing his starting role under Pep Guardiola.
The England international joined Chelsea in a deal worth £47.5million and brings a wealth of top-flight experience and trophy-winning know-how to Thomas Tuchel's squad. During Sterling's time with City, he claimed the Premier League on four occasions, the League Cup five times, and the FA Cup once.
Sterling was crucial to many of those successes; he was the most-used player during Guardiola's tenure, and only Sergio Aguero scored more goals than the 27-year-old. However, prior to his move to west London, Sterling had lost his place in the City side. And that was the driving factor behind his decision to leave the Etihad Stadium.
READ MORE Every word Raheem Sterling said on joining Chelsea, leaving Man City, Tuchel conversation, more
The winger explained: "It was a big surprise [losing his starting role]. A massive surprise. A change of events all of a sudden. It's something I had to handle, and that's why I'm here. The manager, myself, and the people at the club know exactly what the reasons were. I tried to play my football and overcome the situation, but it couldn't be done. So I had to move on."
Sterling wasn't short of offers, but it was Chelsea that stood out. "From playing against Chelsea, I know what the football club stands for," he said. "And of course, seeing the finals they've reached in the last few years, I know they are winning stuff and always challenging."
Sterling has joined a very different Chelsea, one no longer owned by Roman Abramovich. Instead, it's American billionaire Todd Boehly and investment firm Clearlake Capital steering the club. Yet the ambition remains the same: to win and claim the biggest trophies.
There is none more prestigious in the European game than the Champions League, an honour that has eluded Sterling thus far in his career. So, does his move to Chelsea give him a better opportunity of lifting the big-eared trophy, especially given Man City's tendency to crash out in bizarre fashion in the latter stages of the competition?
"I have got to play some football to see that," said Sterling. "I haven't played Champions League football with Chelsea yet. They have obviously won it. I haven't. They have got bragging rights. But again, I am here to try to win it.
"I don't know if I am better off here or there [at Man City] – it is not really my forte. I will just go out and try to help the team as I do every season."
At 27 years old, Sterling is in the prime of his career. He is a crucial player for his country and has proved himself as one of the most consistent attacking players in Europe. Still, his name is rarely in the conversation when debates are held as to who are the top-echelon players in the game.
Does that bother him? "At the beginning of my career – and I don't know [how I'd have felt] if you had asked me then – I actually had an interest. But to be honest, as long as I give my best and I am enjoying my football, which is something that I love, and I am still setting personal targets, I am happy and content. I don't need any recognition from anyone else."
He added: "I'm adjusting really well here at Chelsea. It's the honeymoon period now, but it's like when you're really optimistic about something and dream for something – that's where I am."
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