Raheem Sterling is planning to train throughout the international break to be ready to face Tottenham Hotspur on September 15th, according to a report.
Simon Collings reports for The Standard that Arsenal loanee Raheem Sterling joined training on Monday and he’s asked to train throughout the next fortnight over the international break.
Sterling was involved with Chelsea in pre-season, notably scoring against former club Manchester City in an early August friendly.
But after his 12-minute substitute appearance in a friendly against Inter Milan on August 11th, the winger didn’t play any part in Chelsea’s opening four games of the competitive campaign.
Though Sterling has been keeping fit through individual one-on-one training with former England physical performance coach Ben Rosenblatt, he effectively needs another mini-pre-season now.
The player is also planning to study Arsenal’s patterns of play over the break, and he wants to be ready to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Gunners’ first game back.
Arsenal were always Sterling’s first-choice destination, and he’s reportedly hoping to play opposite Bukayo Saka on the left. Though he can also play as a false nine or as an alternative to Saka on the right, when required.
If Sterling is ready for the Spurs game, he could be a good option. He has plenty of experience playing against Arsenal’s north London rivals, with 13 career goals and assists against them – more than he has against any other big-six club.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are both in relatively inconsistent form, and Sterling has a point to prove given the manner of his Chelsea exit.
Whether the on-loan winger starts or comes off the bench, he could make an impact.