Debate regarding Chelsea’s elaborate spending in recent windows is for others to indulge in. For those at Stamford Bridge, focus has to remain narrowed on unlocking potential in a squad that has been assembled with one eye on the present, but another drifting towards the future.

Once everything clicks, the Blues will take some stopping – with the promise of more recruitment to come. Inevitably, sales will also form part of the rebuilding project.

There is plenty of talk to suggest that Raheem Sterling will be among those nudged towards revolving doors in west London.

Ambition

As a proven winner, the experienced winger is more determined than most to help turn the tide. He does, however, have domestic and international ambition to consider.

Sterling has slipped down England’s depth chart and may struggle to earn a place in a squad that anyone contemplating a EURO 2024 bet can get at 3/1 to savour continental glory.

The Three Lions are highly fancied in football betting guides and another golden generation of talent are eager to ensure that they do not squander any opportunities to get a success-starved nation back in the winning habit.

Sterling would have had his eyes on becoming a centurion at one stage, with 82 caps to his name, but that dream has been fading for a while.

Favouritism in the eyes of Gareth Southgate has slowly eroded, to the point that several other creative forwards have moved up the attacking pecking order.

Sterling’s form at Chelsea has, if truth be told, been doing little to aid his cause.

Having been a 20-goal-a-season performer at Manchester City, double figures have proved to be out of reach since returning to roots in the English capital.

Disgruntled supporters have been quick to air their frustration.

Mauricio Pochettino has said of the jeers being aimed in Sterling’s direction: “We need to support him, he’s an amazing player. He has more than 10 years of experience in the Premier League. Fans are entitled to show their emotion. For us, we try to emphasise to our fans not to criticise. They want the best for our team and players, but we are in a project.”

Sterling was supposed to be an integral part of that project.

The fact that he has failed to live up to expectations suggests that exit talk is unlikely to fade any time soon.

With big-spending outfits to be found in the United States and Middle East, it could be that Sterling ends up treading a similar career path to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Invested

Chelsea has invested heavily in a bid to ensure that they are well-stocked in every area of the field.

That includes wide areas, and that could lead to Sterling being deemed surplus to requirements – especially with funds needing to be raised from sales at some point to help balance the books.

Pedigree will always be worth plenty in professional football, especially in the fiercely competitive Premier League, but Chelsea – who have been parting with plenty of pounds – must decide whether Sterling still holds any value.

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