Sterling buzzing to return ‘home’ to Wembley as Chelsea star chases cup record
THE script was written virtually for Raheem Sterling.
The Chelsea winger holds the record for an English player FIVE Carabao Cup final win.
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Sterling will take on his former club Liverpool in Sunday’s showdown at Wembley, where Reds fans will no doubt boo his every touch.
The match will take place at his ‘home’, as the 29-year-old grew up a few meters from the stadium.
And Sterling wants to reinvigorate Chelsea’s taste for success as the figurehead of the new era under billionaire owner Todd Boehly.
Sterling joined the Londoners from Manchester City in July 2022 for £47.5 million – American Boehly’s first big-money signing.
During seven brilliant years at the Etihad he won all five of his League Cups.
And he will equal the EFL Cup record of former Etihad teammates Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho with six wins if he can help upset favorites Liverpool.
Sterling said: “It would be a huge achievement to do that.
“Once you’ve had that taste you always want more and this game will be exactly the same.
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“We have a great test against Liverpool this week.
“It’s a good challenge against one of the most dominant teams in recent years.
“It would certainly mean a lot to win that trophy again.
“I also think that first trophy would definitely increase the belief for the group. When you win that one trophy you get that feeling, that feeling and you want more.”
Sterling has always loved a challenge and knows all about the quality of nine-time League Cup winners Liverpool.
After joining the Reds as a teenager in 2010, he spent five years at Anfield, where he was the club’s Young Player of the Season in 2014 and 2015.
But Sterling made a controversial £49m move to City in 2015 and won ten major trophies with Pep Guardiola’s team as they enjoyed a gripping rivalry with Liverpool for trophies.
The first of these was the Capital One Cup in February 2016, when City beat Jürgen Klopp’s side 3-1 on penalties after extra time ended, with the score still tied at 1-1.
Sterling and City went on to win four during the 2018-2021 period, equaling the Reds’ record for most consecutive wins between 1981 and 1984.
When the 2019 final against Chelsea ended goalless, the England international also scored the winning penalty in a 4-3 shootout success at a ground close to his heart.
Sterling dreamed of playing at Wembley as a child; on his left arm is an inspirational tattoo of a young boy wearing a number 10 shirt and looking at the iconic location.
He was sponsored by his country 82 times – his last cap coming in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against France – and also unveiled his foundation at nearby former school Ark Elvin Academy.
‘THAT IS MY HOME’
Sterling admitted that playing at Wembley was “special”, telling Arab News: “That is my home. I’m really looking forward to it.
“When I go to Wembley it gives me a different feeling. I can’t wait to get on the pitch.”
Chelsea are looking to lift their first trophy under Boehly’s consortium, which has seen them spend more than £1 BILLION on players to date.
The Blues have won 21 trophies since 2005, including five Premier League titles, two Champions League titles, five FA Cups and three League Cups.
Sterling believes they are “getting stronger” and a Carabao Cup win in just over 48 hours could be the springboard to better times.
After finishing a disappointing twelfth in the Prem last season, Chelsea currently sit tenth under former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Results were inconsistent, with an impressive 4–1 win over Spurs and draws against title chasers Liverpool, Arsenal and City offset by losses to Brentford, Everton and Wolves.
Chelsea also suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at Anfield late last month in their last meeting with Jurgen Klopp’s men, before the 4-2 defeat to Gary O’Neil’s Wanderers.
But they responded with back-to-back 3-1 wins – an FA Cup fourth round replay at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in the league.
On his return to the starting line-up at his old Etihad ground on Saturday, Sterling scored as the Treble winners needed a late equalizer from Rodri to grab a 1-1 draw.
It was Sterling’s eighth goal of the season, one fewer than last season.
‘WE MUST KEEP BUILDING’
He added: “I wanted to show myself against City and we were unlucky not to win.
“We are a young group and those achievements will increase confidence in the future.
“But I have always said that these are the challenges we must face.
“We showed ourselves against some of the top four teams this season.
“The away match at Liverpool was obviously disappointing, but we showed ourselves against Tottenham, Arsenal and City, and we have to keep building.”
Chelsea are determined to prove that what they showed at Anfield on January 31 was not a true reflection of who they are.
Sterling said: “Liverpool’s defeat certainly hurts. This time we will try to do a lot better.
“We are getting stronger and the most important thing is to try to compete for trophies.
“And this week we have a great opportunity to do that and I’m looking forward to it.”
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