‘He needed that goal… you can see in the celebration the frustration that he’s been feeling’: Raheem Sterling’s strike against Dinamo Zagreb will be crucial for his confidence, insist BT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole
Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole argued that Raheem Sterling ‘needed’ to score
The England forward drew Chelsea level with Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday
He has been in poor form at the start of 2022-23 with just five goals this season
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Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand argued that Raheem Sterling needed a goal against Dinamo Zagreb for Chelsea, to relieve the pressure that is already mounting on him.
The England winger joined the Blues from Premier League rivals Manchester City over the summer, but has only scored five and assisted two in 16 appearances this season.
And both pundits insisted that there was an evident release of pent up frustration in his celebration, having drawn the hosts level in the 18th minute on Wednesday.
Both Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand felt that Raheem Sterling’s goal released some frustration
‘He needed that goal Sterling,’ said Ferdinand on BT. ‘We were talking in the studio confidence-wise you can see in the celebration the frustration that he’s been feeling the relief to score that goal.
‘Attacking players they need that, and you see that frustration in that celebration.’
Sterling’s last goal for Chelsea in the Premier League came in August, and his sole Champions League goal came in a 1-1 draw with RB Salzburg in September.
Ferdinand stated that the relief Sterling felt after the goal was evident from his celebration
In contrast, he arrives off the back of consecutive seasons of 17, 14 and 31 goals under Pep Guardiola, with whom he won four Premier League titles.
Under the Spanish coach he established himself as one of the premier attacking players in Europe, but his current form leaves him far short of the expectation Blues fans will have had prior to the start of 2022-23.
It has been a frustrating start to the campaign for the forward, who will be vying for a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
He scored only his fifth Chelsea goal on Wednesday evening
And there has even been doubt cast over whether he deserves to start the Three Lions’ first game against Iran on November 21 based on his current form.
‘I was delighted for him because I’ve been hearing some outlandish comments about should he even go to the World Cup for England,’ added Ferdinand.
‘But this guy whatever happens he gets into good areas, he doesn’t shy away when things aren’t going his way he’s still always gets himself into positions where he can affect the game and his endeavour is always there, his determination, desire, I mean this is what I love about him.’
Former Chelsea midfielder Cole agreed with his BT colleague, but suggested that his compatriot could use the early strike to build momentum, with Chelsea only playing two more games before the World Cup break – including a mouth-watering clash against Arsenal at the weekend at Stamford Bridge.
‘He needed that goal you see the relief in him celebrating how much it meant to him,’ added Cole.
‘Playing in a more forward position here, I think he’ll be looking to add goals in this second half.’
Sterling was unable to add to his tally further, but his side ran out 2-1 winners in the end, and with a game on Sunday against Arsenal he still has an opportunity to add to his tally before Southgate’s highly-anticipated squad announcement.
And Cole suggested that the 27-year-old could go on and add further goals in the game