West Ham want Raheem Sterling but Graham Potter blunder rules out one position
Raheem Sterling could be reacquainted with Graham Potter at West Ham this summer.
The Englishman joined Chelsea two months before Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in September 2022. Sterling struggled to emulate his Manchester City form at Stamford Bridge and was loaned to Arsenal for the 2024/25 season.
However, the winger failed to impress Mikel Arteta and is once again looking for a new club to call home. The Hammers have entered the picture, but Potter could make the transfer that bit more difficult.
Potter to be wary after failed wing-back experiment
As reported by talkSPORT (5 August), West Ham are among the clubs keeping tabs on Sterling.
The Blues have made it clear that the England international is one of the players they would like to offload this summer. Potter and Sterling enjoyed a good relationship while he was at Chelsea, and on the surface, it looks like a match made in heaven.
- 12 July 2015: Manchester City agree a record-breaking transfer to sign Sterling from Liverpool
- 13 July 2022: Chelsea sign Sterling from City on a five-year contract
- 30 August 2024: Sterling joins Arsenal on loan for the 2024/25 season
However, the West Ham manager will have to keep experimentation to a minimum this time if Sterling is to succeed at the Hammers.
Speaking after Chelsea’s humiliating 4-1 defeat to Brighton in October 2022 upon his hostile return to the Amex Stadium, he admitted he ended up looking “a bit of a fool” after playing Sterling and Christian Pulisic as wingbacks.
In quotes reported by The Guardian, Potter said: “The responsibility for those two wasn’t to defend against their wing-backs, but I understand that whenever you do something and it doesn’t work, you look a bit of a fool.
“That is how it is. I have to accept that, deal with that, do better, and I’ll learn. That’s the process.”
As a result, West Ham fans will be hoping that Potter has learned his lesson if Sterling is to arrive at the London Stadium this summer.
What can Sterling bring to West Ham?
While it is a transfer some could hold their noses up at, Sterling brings with him a wealth of experience unmatched by most in the squad.
The Hammers would be his fifth Premier League club after spending time at Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Playing in the first division and winning everything with City comes with an understanding of how to win. Sterling is a born and bred competitor and is capable of dominating at the highest level.
However, even under Potter, the winger has struggled to find his best form, and there are questions about whether this version of him still exists.
There is no doubt that West Ham would thrive if the Sterling of old returns. But the question that remains is whether he has the capability and drive to find that player once again.
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