Chelsea confirm signing of Raheem Sterling from Man City in £50million deal as Trevor Sinclair lauds England ‘superstar’ – but Simon Jordan questions transfer

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City in a deal worth £50million.

The England forward leaves the Etihad Stadium after seven glittering years, scoring 131 goals in 337 appearances and winning four Premier League titles.

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The England winger flew to Los Angeles to rubber stamp his stunning transfer to Premier League rivals Chelsea.

The Kingston-born England forward has spent his summer holiday in Jamaica, but is now in LA to link up with his new teammates and complete his £50m move to the London club.

On returning to London to play for the Blues, Sterling told the club's website: “First and foremost, it’s a pleasure to be here.

“I’ve obviously achieved a lot in my career so far, but there is still so much more to achieve and I’m really looking forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt, under Thomas’s management.

“London is my home and where it all started for me, and it’s amazing I now have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family week in, week out at Stamford Bridge. I’m really looking forward to meeting the fans there soon.

“I do want to take the opportunity to thank Todd, Behdad, the ownership group, Thomas, and all involved in the process of getting me here. I can’t wait to get going now and continue to do my talking on the pitch.”

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Sterling becomes the first major Chelsea signing under new owner Todd Boehly after the American billionaire bought the club from Roman Abramovich in May.

It also marks a west London homecoming for the 27-year-old, who grew up in Wembley and played for the Queens Park Rangers academy before joining Liverpool in 2010.

Ex-City winger Trevor Sinclair had pleaded with his former club to keep Sterling and insists Chelsea have signed a 'superstar'.

Sinclair told talkSPORT: "His adopted home in England (because he's from Jamaica) is London, Wembley - and he's been away from home since 2010.

"I don't think anyone at Man City is guaranteed game time. He wanted it, he couldn't get it.

"If he wants guaranteed minutes, especially in a World Cup year, we've got to appreciate that he wants to play.

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"It's not like he's going for the money, he just wants to play.

"I think Chelsea are getting an absolute superstar."

Meanwhile, Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor agrees the move is 'perfect' for both Sterling and Chelsea.

The former striker told talkSPORT: "It sums him up as a player and what he wants to achieve: he wants to play football.

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"Last season, you saw a lot of pictures of him on the bench, looking angry and confused, 'Why am I not playing?'

"Maybe he was a little undervalued by Man City. England fans undervalue him as well and he was our best player at Euro 2020.

"The amount of goals he scores for a winger, he got more than 100 goals for City, those figures are unbelievable.

"He needs to be playing every week and Chelsea is a perfect move for him."

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However, ex-Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan is not convinced by the deal.

He insists City would not be selling Sterling if they expected the forward to become such an asset to their Premier League rivals, while questioning the winger's lack of game time at the Etihad last season.

Jordan told talkSPORT: "The argument is, 'Why would you strengthen your opposition?' Well, clearly Man City don't feel too concerned about Chelsea being strengthened by Sterling.

"Tuchel tends to buy decent players. On paper, because of the name, where he's coming from, where he's going, the new owner... it looks like a really big statement signing.

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"Personally, I don't think it is. I don't think he will bridge the gap from where they are to where they want to be. But we will see.

"I think he has been OK for Man City. If he had excelled for Man City, he wouldn't be leaving because he's not getting enough games.

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"I think he's done well, if you get into City's side, it's a stupid argument to say he isn't a good player. Nobody thinks that.

"I don't think he doesn't enough. He gets goals but I think anybody would get goals playing for Man City."