Raheem Sterling was unveiled as Chelsea’s first major signing of the summer and the first under new owners.
Chelsea paid £47 million for the 27-year-old from Manchester City. Sterling has been one of the top performers for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. He won four Premier League titles, two FA Community Sheild, four League cups, and the FA Cup.
Sterling is currently in the United States with his new teammate as they prepare for next season’s campaign. He is likely to make his debut on Saturday as Chelsea plays their first pre-season friendly match against Club America.
Watch Behind the scene video of Raheem Sterling’s first day as a Chelsea player embedded here:
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand has defended Raheem Sterling following his Chelsea’s transfer.
Speaking on his Youtube channel Vibe with Five, Rio Ferdinand said: “You know what it does my head in. When there’s a split opinion about him [Sterling] and I don’t understand it.
“He’s been the Football Writers’ Player of the Year, PFA Team of the Year, he’s been Young Player of the Year, he’s done all he can in a Man City shirt, all he hasn’t done is win a Champions League.
“But no one at Man City’s done that so that’s just the way it is.”
The Manchester United legend also insisted that Raheem Sterling has what it takes to have a huge impact at Chelsea.
Rio Ferdinand continued: “We can talk about his skill, we can talk about his pace, we can talk about his goals, and achievements, but has there been an English player that’s had the success he’s had and still been questioned?
“Under Pep Guardiola he has the most appearances, he has the second-most amount of goals – let that sink in and marinate a little bit.
“He should score more, he doesn’t score goals”, what do you mean? He goes and does it.”