Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling takes a swipe at Pep Guardiola

At the time of writing, Chelsea are preparing for a meeting with Leeds United on Sunday afternoon. And the fixture could be a more difficult time than some observers may perhaps imagine. Winning at Elland Road is not an easy proposition: the supporters are as passionate and noisy as any others on average, and part of the Leeds style of play has always been intensity and tough tackling. This is a solid test for Thomas Tuchel, whose team, including newly acquired players, truly deserved three points and were clearly robbed against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Following the emotionally charged draw with Spurs, the Blues team news is in for the Peacocks clash. Edouard Mendy starts in goal, typically, with centrebacks Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva and Reece James providing the Senegalese’s protection. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is again at right wingback, with Marc Cucurella accompanying the Englishman on the opposing flank. Conor Gallagher has been offered a great opportunity to stake his claim in the XI, in the absence of N’golo Kante. Joining the former Crystal Palace loanee in central midfield is Jorginho. The attacking trio is, once again, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz.

Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling takes swipe at former boss Pep Guardiola

After supplying an obvious but subtly executed first competitive assist versus Tottenham, Sterling will be eyeing his maiden CFC goal. His finishing was one of the reasons Tuchel brought him to Stamford Bridge, so the England star better get cracking.

Though becoming fully acclimatised to his new side might take a while longer. There is a fluidity problem in the Chels’ attack at present: the three forwards, Sterling, Mount and Havertz, are all exceptional in their own rights, but haven’t quite yet gelled together as a completely unified nor cohesive unit.

There is also an argument that the latter two possibly have more suitable positions: Mount arguably at No.10, with Havertz potentially doing more damage elsewhere with less onus on him to be the main target man. We will probably see the head coach employ an interchangeable type of system up front, in which his attackers can occupy and confuse opposition defenders instead of their usual markers.

Another possibility is that more incoming fresh faces materialise and the three are not the starting group in the near future. It is hard to tell, presently, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang talk continues. Along with the dangerous Armando Broja patiently – or impatiently – warming the bench.

Sterling was in the news of late – he’s rarely out of the headlines, to be fair – because he made some rather interesting comments concerning his ex-boss at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola. In the past, the manager was rightly credited with refining the winger’s game, and the athlete was publicly grateful and complimentary to the Spaniard.

However, disagreements and partial resentment seem to have been prevalent in the pair’s relationship, too. Sky Sports published an interview with the Three Lions man where he appears to indirectly admit anger at Guardiola for often being a substitute and an unceremonious exit. Judge for yourselves from the below quote:

"“Everyone wants to feel wanted, football is no different. When you play your heart out, sacrifice some of your kids’ birthdays, and then get treated in a certain way [being a persistent sub’ and subsequently an unwanted status as a club legend, I assume], it’s disappointing.“At the time I was fuming, raging, but it’s gone, it’s in the past and I can only focus on the present…”"