Chelsea handed Raheem Sterling transfer boost as Reece James defends rival

After a season of on and off-field disruption, a lot more will be expected of Chelsea in the 2022-23 campaign.

Despite possessing a stellar squad, the Blues were unable to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool after an initially impressive start. While there are some important players leaving the club, under a new regime the club will be expected to be bullish in the transfer market.

Manager Thomas Tuchel will also be expected to get a little more from some of his current crop too, as a number of players suffered with inconsistency and injury issues during the previous term.

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Sterling wants Chelsea move

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling is said to be keen on moving to Chelsea and is willing to turn down some of European football's biggest clubs to make the switch happen.

Sterling has one year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and in the last couple of seasons he has fallen out of Pep Guardiola's preferred XI. It means a transfer could well be on the cards for the England winger this summer.

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are said to have shown an interest in Sterling, although the player will reportedly turn down those approaches in an attempt to return to London with the Blues.

The chance to return to an area he knows well to be closer to friends and family is said to be appealing to the 27-year-old.

Read the story in full HERE.

James defends England rival

Chelsea's Reece James has come to the defence of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the two players in direct competition for the England right-back spot.

Alexander-Arnold has been unable to replicate his excellent form with the Reds when given chances for the Three Lions, with some critics questioning his defensive capabilities at the highest level.

However, when asked about the Liverpool player, James was adamant that there are few weaknesses in his game.

"I make mistakes as well," he said. "I gave away a penalty against Hungary so we are both still learning our trade.

"Liverpool have 95 per cent of the ball and he defends less than I have to. People have a lot of stuff to say and don't really know the game. Trent is a great player."

Read the story in full HERE.