How Raheem Sterling ended up at Chelsea: The club are looking for a special feature in his “Swiss army knife” approach, and the winger doesn’t have it

While on holiday in Marbella in June, Enzo Maresca watched Chelsea’s 2023-24 matches for homework, with paper and pen handy to take notes. We can only speculate whether he spilled his margarita when he arrived in the 32nd minute of the Christmas Eve trip to Wolverhampton.

The score was 0-0 when Raheem Sterling got possession by pushing João Gomes. They attacked with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson ready to touch the ball on their right. He decided to try to score himself, but missed the one-on-one, and José Sa made the save as Chelsea trailed 2-1.

Chelsea fans shared the video on social media after learning that Maresca had banned Sterling from first team training. It may be merciful to celebrate, but such is the life of a Premier League superstar.

The signing of Pedro Neto for £54m and the arrival of Joao Félix for £44.5m pushed Sterling down the pecking order. Both could feature in Chelsea’s trip to Molineux on Sunday, possibly from the bench, as Maresca still believes they need time to learn his detailed tactical plan.

One of the reasons Chelsea signed Neto and Félix is ​​that they fit the club’s “Swiss army knife” recruitment approach, led by co-director Joe Shields recruitment and talent, and Sam Jewell, its director of international recruitment.

They look for players who can play in more than one position. They will then present the candidates to Maresca, who will then give his verdict to the sports directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who will be given work on the negotiations.

Chelsea came into the summer with the intention of putting together a squad ready to play up to 80 games this season, and the plan is to take the Confederations League and the Club World Cup. – Really. They want at least two players per position, which is where flexibility helps.

It offers options, even if Maresca wants to change systems for an impending disaster. As well as copies of Chelsea games, Maresca had another request for his new club while in Marbella.

Maresca requested access to the data room so he could analyze information about each player’s performance, including percentages showing how many minutes they spent in different positions , telling him how versatile they had been under former Mauricio Pochettino. Clearly, Maresca wanted more and he got it this summer.

Neto can play on the left or right wing, in the middle of the field or as a false nine. He even appeared at the back at times for Wolves. Maresca is particularly appreciative of how he can use his pace to beat anyone in one-on-one situations when Chelsea isolate the full-backs. face

Felix can also play on the wings, as an attacking midfielder or as a false nine, where he could play as a substitute in Maresca’s style of play, which involves pass, pass, pass. Today was his second time for Chelsea, the first in January 2023, when he saw the red card in the 58th minute at Fulham after his loan.

They are not the only new signs that can provide flexibility. Kiernan Dewsbury-Trannsa is able to fill the gaps at 8 and 10 and, as a left-footer, brings balance to the midfield.

Sterling can only watch with envy until the move is completed. He took part in the six preseason friendlies and there was never any sign that relegation was on the way. He even spoke to Mail Sport after facing Real Madrid in the United States and expressed his excitement for the upcoming season.

New signing Pedro Neto can play on both wings, in midfield or as a false nine

João Félix can play on the wing, as a false nine or in attacking midfield for the Blues.

Sterling can still do his job on the left wing, but that is not enough for Chelsea, who want players to be flexible.

However, part of the problem for Sterling is that when you think of the 29-year-old, you automatically recognize him as a left-winger. He can still play there, but not for Chelsea.

If Chelsea want to be the best team on the pitch, its managers know it will take time. They have promised to give that to Maresca, and their latest task is to ensure that Neto and Félix live up to his expectations when they travel to Wolves.