Transfer Centre

How Chelsea could line up with Raheem Sterling, Nathan Ake

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 11 July 2022

Sports Mole takes a look at how title-hopefuls Chelsea could line up in the 2022-23 campaign with both Raheem Sterling and Nathan Ake in their first XI.

While there have been three notable departures from Stamford Bridge in the form of Romelu Lukaku, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, Chelsea are one of only two Premier League clubs who are yet to make a single signing this summer.

However, that is seemingly set to change in the coming weeks, with new owner Todd Boehly lining up a number of big-money reinforcements before the new season begins.

Thomas Tuchel's side have reportedly agreed a £50m fee with Manchester City to sign forward Raheem Sterling, while they also interested in signing the Englishman's teammate Nathan Ake, who has allegedly agreed personal terms over a return to West London.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how title-hopefuls Chelsea could line up in the 2022-23 campaign with both Sterling and Ake in their first XI.

CHE XI RS & NA © Reuters

It remains to be seen whether Tuchel will continue with a 3-4-3 formation or switch to a back four this season, but with the addition of one or two central defenders, including Ake, the German boss may see no reason to change his system which has brought plenty of success since his arrival in January 2021.

One guaranteed selection is Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who kept 23 clean sheets in all competitions last season and he is regarded as the club's first-choice stopper ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Veteran centre-back Thiago Silva, who turns 38 in September, is still capable of playing at the highest level and is set to feature regularly at the heart of a back three, while the arrival of left-footed Dutchman Ake would likely see him operate as a left-sided centre-back.

The Blues have been linked with a host of other centre-backs across Europe including Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde, but as things stand, Trevor Chalobah and Cesar Azpilicueta could battle for a place on the right side of the back three, although a move away from Stamford Bridge has been mooted for the latter.

The futures of Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri are also believed to be uncertain, but even if they were to remain at the club, the returning Ben Chilwell, who endured a frustrating injury-hit 2021-22 campaign, is regarded as Tuchel's first-choice at left wing-back. Reece James, meanwhile, will be hoping to build on another impressive year at right wing-back, after recording six goals and 10 assists in 39 games last season.

Tuchel has a plethora of midfield options to choose from this campaign, and should Sterling and another potential summer recruit start regularly in attack, Mason Mount could drop into a slightly deeper role in the middle of the pitch alongside either Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic or Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour have returned to West London following loan spells last season and they could also be called upon to play in midfield this term.

The arrival of Sterling, who has recorded 131 goals and 94 assists in 337 games during his seven-year spell with Man City, will likely see the Englishman operate on the left wing, where he predominantly played under Pep Guardiola, but he also has the ability to feature on the right wing or down the middle if required.

While Hakim Ziyech continues to be linked with a move to AC Milan, the likes of Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi are set to battle for a place on the right flank.

Now that Lukaku has returned to Inter Milan on a temporary basis, Kai Havertz is seemingly Tuchel's go-to man to lead the Chelsea attack, while Timo Werner and Armando Broja could provide competition should they remain at Stamford Bridge this summer.