When Raheem Sterling is smiling on a football pitch, many of the world’s troubles seem to, temporarily at least, fade.
It certainly felt that way at Stamford Bridge, a goal in each half plus an assist for Nicolas Jackson, ensuring Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea side have their first victory.
After a disappointing first season for Chelsea, Sterling looks light, zippy and to be enjoying his football again. For all the recent talk of £100m midfield enforcers – of whom Chelsea have a pair – Sterling was the attacker cheap at half the price. Luton were among those dazzled.
“He deserves the full credit for his performance,” said Pochettino. “He told me last season was difficult for him. I’m very pleased the player is happy.” The night’s headliner was supposed to be Moisés Caicedo, a recent addition from Brighton in a British record £115m transfer. Yet as much as Caicedo ticked along at the midfield’s base, and Enzo Fernández enjoyed the freedom of a more advanced role, Sterling outshone them both.
His first came early. From wide on the right, a quick stepover and Sterling was jinking inside Ryan Giles. On the half-beat, his left-shoulder dropped, and a shot low shot placed into the corner. It was equal parts football and ballroom dancing.
Sterling’s second arrived after Chelsea, himself included, had been wasteful after the break. But when, with just over 20 minutes remaining, he met Malo Gusto’s centre with a neat finish, Stamford Bridge exhaled in unison.
The icing on the evening’s cake came with Jackson’s first goal for Chelsea, with Sterling this time the provider.
“I had a conversation with the gaffer earlier last week, we’ve gone through the role, and I know exactly what he needs from me and it’s as simple as that,” Sterling said. “I need to get on the back foot and do what I do, drive at players and get on it. That’s when I’m most effective.”
“I came in a difficult period, that’s all finished. I think the most important thing, I’ve had a look at myself and I’m a person who always tries to analyse what I’ve been doing, what I’ve done wrong, what I can change.
“It’s as simple as that, I want to get back to being obsessed with football. Just football 24/7 and nothing else. [I want to] focus on top performances and goals and assists.”
As Kerry Dixon put it at half-time, Chelsea are a “work in progress”. Yet unlike last season, there is a clear direction of travel under Pochettino.
If the feeling had been that early results had not tallied with performances – and given the only changes Pochettino has made to three Premier League starting lineups have been injury enforced, he seems to hold that view – this ticked a few boxes.
They were slick, most of the time at least. It was death by a thousand triangles, Sterling seemingly at the tip of each of them.
Jackson was excellent, Fernández too. “It is only the first step,” said Pochettino. Patience is required. His young side will err at times. “The process is really important, as is time to work,” he added. “To create the links, the way we want to play, the animation, we need time.”
This was a difficult night for Luton. No lack of guts but little by way of guile. They had one chance, one potential moment that might have turned events.
Only one behind on the hour, Stamford Bridge felt edgy. Luton, and their vociferous followers, sensed it. A rare foray into the penalty area ended with Giles striking hard. Robert Sánchez’s palm, fortunately for Chelsea, was strong.
But while there are no free hits, these are not the evenings on which Rob Edwards, in his heart of hearts, will focus most attention. Because the majority of the time, Goliath wins. It is just that nobody likes to spin that story. “We don’t like losing,” said Edwards. “But I can accept it when there’s a performance like that.”
It is little wonder Edwards spoke with glowing pride, really. Because the difference in fiscal outlay here is astonishing.
It can be neatly visualised like this: whereas fans who visit Kenilworth Road must locate their turnstile lurking between terraced houses, Luton’s travelling supporters had a pair of four-star hotels to guide them towards their Friday night perches. Luton; Chelsea. Paupers; kings. In football terms, anyway.
Since Todd Boehly’s summer 2022 takeover, Chelsea have spent close to 10 figures on a squad overhaul. They will likely reach that tipping point before September, with Pochettino saying afterwards that – although he believes Jackson has the potential to be one of the league’s best – with Romelu Lukaku seemingly Roma bound, he still wants to sign one more forward.
So, what price a regulation home victory? Nearly a billion pounds ought to do it, it seems.
