‘Chelsea might get their prime’ – Blues hero Joe Cole delighted in Sterling’s signature as mural appeared at Dodger Stadium

JOE COLE thinks Chelsea could get ‘the best years’ out of Raheem Sterling.

The England international, 27, made a £50million move from Manchester City to Stamford Bridge this week.

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He immediately declared his happiness to be back in London, having become new owner Todd Boehly’s first contract at the club.

Sterling is already in Los Angeles with his new teammates.

That’s a town where his new boss, Boehly, owns the LA Dodger baseball team, which today unveiled a mural of the attacker outside their stadium.

Back on the pitch, however, Blues legend Cole insisted his former Liverpool team-mate Sterling can achieve big things.

He told Chelsea’s website: “He’s a great man now but he was a great kid.

“He was very mature, very ambitious and a fantastic talent. He was one of those people who was expected to become a player.

“The longevity he’s had is incredible and he’s still young. Chelsea could arguably get him in his prime.

“Raheem is a leader, a quiet leader, and he gives us experience in that area of ​​the field.”

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Cole continued, “His dynamic, he makes things happen, his chasing. He’s a fantastic timekeeper, runs into the penalty area and is technically very good.

“He can knock out a man with his crucial dribble. He’s an all-rounder, he scores goals, he makes goals. He makes the difference in big games, we need that.”

Cole added: “He probably looked at Chelsea and thought there was an opportunity for me to be the captain here. I think Raheem wants a new challenge.

“I’m excited, it’s the first signing of the new era and it’s what I call a signing for now.

“You don’t worry that there is a period of adjustment. It could be, but you buy someone to produce the goods in the first game of the season.

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