Chelsea let Sterling go as RUTHLESS Pochettino era begins

Tom Hancock

• Updated: 30 May 2023 19:36 BST
• 3 min read

Sterling to leave Chelsea this summer? Yes, it’s happening: Dujon sterling is signing for Rangers.

The 19-year-old right-back has signed a pre-contract agreement with the Scottish Premiership giants, with the move set to go through when he becomes a free agent on July 1.

Sterling came through Chelsea’s academy but has made just two appearances for the first team, going out on loan to four different EFL clubs during his time with the Blues – most recently Championship Stoke City this season.

READ: Chelsea star set for Milan as part of Pochettino purge

Sterling’s Chelsea debut came way back in September 2017, when Antonio Conte brought him off the bench in a League Cup win over Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.

And he would enjoy just one more senior Blues outing: the briefest of substitute cameos in an FA Cup draw away to Norwich four months later.

Instead, the former England youth international has made a name for himself outside the Premier League, featuring a combined 113 times for Coventry City, Wigan Athletic, Blackpool and Stoke.

READ: Pochettino DASHES Chelsea star's dreams

Sterling's 'no-brainer' next step

Speaking about his pending arrival at Rangers – who are managed by former Chelsea academy coach Michael Beale – Sterling told the record 55-time champions of Scotland’s official website: “I am really excited to come to such a big club; there’s a lot of history and the supporters are so passionate, so I am thrilled.

“I wasn’t expecting to make my mind up about my future this quickly, but the gaffer [Beale] came in for me straight away, and what he proposed to me was everything that I believe I need.

“We were on the same wavelength; he believes in me and I believe in what he is trying to do as well, so it was a no-brainer for me to come.”