RAHEEM STERLING admits it will take time for Chelsea to get back on top of English football.
The winger spent seven years at Manchester City before his £47.5million move last summer and says the team he joined in 2015 was nothing like today’s serial champions.
He has endured a frustrating debut season at Stamford Bridge, with the club now hoping to make Mauricio Pochettino their FIFTH head coach in less than a year.
Sterling, 28, said: “Consistency and structure go hand in hand and City have that in abundance.
“My first few years at City were nothing like that. We were all over the place. They weren’t the best.
“We had one management leave and another came in. Pep came in and, in the first season, played good football but it wasn’t there. But there was structure and time to implement his way, get the right players and people buying into it.
“It’s no coincidence that they are doing so well because they do it better than anybody else.”
City are favourites to win their fifth title in six years under Guardiola.
Caretaker Frank Lampard is Chelsea’s fourth boss this season as the new owners get to grips with their long-term project.
Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Brentford was Blues legend Lamps’ fifth straight loss since returning earlier this month.
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Talks with Pochettino are progressing well and the former Tottenham boss is widely expected to take over in June.
England ace Sterling said: “Whoever takes over will find an unbelievable bunch of talented players.
“Like anything, wherever you go, you need a structure, that we as players follow, and a leader.
“It’s as simple as that. We have to buy into whoever is manager.
“We know the Chelsea fans aren’t used to this but we have to try to look at the bigger picture between now and the end of the season.
“Be as positive as we can, try to finish strongly. Their support drives the players on.
We want the winning feeling back in the building
Raheem Sterling
“In the second half against Brentford we could feel their energy transferring on to us.
“We want the winning feeling back in the building. We know the Chelsea fans deserve a lot better than this.”
Chelsea face a tough trip to Prem leaders Arsenal on Tuesday.
Londoner Sterling added: “A fixture against Arsenal is always a high quality game.
“But it can’t be about what ifs? We have to go there and look like we believe we can win.
“This is a club that has had high expectations and they haven’t been that way this season.
“A game is another opportunity. It’s nothing we are dreading.”
