Raheem Sterling is one Chelsea player who’s already got a great relationship with Mauricio Pochettino.

That is according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

He’s explained that Raheem Sterling, 28, often speaks privately with Mauricio Pochettino about his game.

“From what I gather, he’s been the player, more than most, who has been prepared to go to Pochettino and initiate one-on-one conversations,” Jacobs said during a podcast on Simon Phillips’ Substack.

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Pochettino, who arrived as Chelsea’s head coach this summer with a reputation as a great man-manager, is certainly living up to that hype.

It’s been very noticeable in the opening weeks of the season that Sterling looks somewhere near back to his best.

The £50million attacker (Daily Mail) never really took off during his debut season at Stamford Bridge last year, but it feels like he’s emerging as a key figure in this new-look side coached by Pochettino.

Sterling has had more touches in the opposition box this season than any player in Europe (Squawka).

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Sterling was a surprise omission recently from Gareth Southgate’s England squad, but we’re pretty confident he can force his way back into the plans in time for October’s international break.

It looks like Pochettino has taken the handbrake off Sterling and given him the licence to attack freely, whether that’s from a wide or central attacking position.

Next, the Blues travel to Bournemouth on Sunday in a fixture where the forward line will look to click as one. Sterling and Nicolas Jackson do look like dead-certs to start given their early-season form, but who will join them?

Soucre: thechelseachronicle.com