Raheem Sterling free-kick proves that Chelsea star has reinvented himself

The Chelsea forward is 29 years old and regarded as one of the Premier League's most effective attacking players due to his pace and direct running.

However recent weeks have showed that Sterling can add the label of 'set piece specialist' to his list of accolades.

The Blues star got himself on the scoresheet during Chelsea's 4-0 victory over Preston North End in the FA Cup after netting a stunning free-kick.

Stepping up from 20 yards out, Sterling sweetly struck the ball up and over the Preston wall and beyond Freddie Woodman into the top corner of the net.

Speaking after the game, Mauricio Pochettino said: "I told him when we finished the game 'David Beckham is shaking' because he will take the record from David.

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"That is the quality, you can practice all day, every day but after is to take and score.

"To be honest, we practice but it's not special practice for him. That's about his quality."

More notably, that was the second successive goal that Sterling has scored from a free-kick situation.

Scoring two free-kicks back to back is nothing to write home about if you're Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham or even James Ward-Prowse, but for Sterling it's a skill that he's clearly been working on at Cobham.

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While his last two goals have come from free-kicks, Sterling scored just one free-kick in his previous 168 goals in English club football.

It may well be a talent that Sterling has kept up his sleeve for all these years, but what's more likely is that despite being 29 years of age, Sterling has been grafting away behind the scenes in order to add an extra dimension to his game.

With Chelsea in desperate need of inspiration to keep their European hopes alive this term, it's players with the hunger and desire of Sterling that will be key in helping Mauricio Pochettino to fulfill his objectives in west London.