Judo and hill sprints are part of Raheem Sterling’s boot camp regimen! How the Chelsea great returned to his best and was once again considered for the England team

Sterling scored two goals against Luton to kick off the new season in impressive fashion.The winger trained in Judo for a portion of the summer to improve his physical condition.Watch the second episode of Mail Sport’s new football show, “It’s All Kicking Off.”

Raheem Sterling’s absence from the most recent England team was interpreted by Gareth Southgate as a sign that the winger was dissatisfied with his level of fitness. 

Because of a hamstring issue, he wasn’t performing at his desired level. Sterling favored to concentrate on getting his body prepared for the upcoming season.

Sterling’s first season at Chelsea resulted in just nine goals in all competitions, thus it appears that they never discussed whether he should make the team. 

Sterling spent June racing up hills in a Surrey country park with Camberley Judo Club members and a silver medalist as England spent the month of June eliminating Malta and North Macedonia.

Watching the video is fantastic. Alongside Fin Allan, who won the silver medal in judo at the Birmingham Games last year, Sterling races up the incline at Lightwater Country Park with his arms pounding. Allan is left stumbling in Sterling’s wake as he quickly pulls away.

Raheem Sterling Sterling spent part of his summer racing up hills in a Surrey country park with members of Camberley Judo Club

Chelsea star also tried his hand on the mat with Judo sessions with experienced practitioners

On Friday against Luton Town, Raheem Sterling scored Chelsea’s first goals of the year.

Sterling emerges first at the top of the slope later on, leaving the trailing group of judoka battling in the rear. 

You have a suspicion that they might have had more luck when they competed against Sterling on the judo mat back in the gym. For when those hulking Premier League defenders attempt to wrestle him to the ground, it’s good practice.

 

It’s not like Luton’s could have touched him on Friday night. In Chelsea’s first victory under Mauricio Pochettino, Sterling scored twice and assisted on a third. He cut in from the right into the box, beat three players, and placed a stunning first goal into the bottom corner.

It seems like the work we did over the summer was worthwhile. It was a long-forgotten flashback to the previous incarnation of Sterling. 

In the midst of Todd Boehly’s billion-pound spending frenzy, it’s simple to forget that Sterling was the era’s first high-profile acquisition. It didn’t help that the club was in a state of turmoil.

The ‘blurry’ state of Sterling’s head is acknowledged. He injured his hamstring. He has had to rekindle his football “obsession.”

On Friday night, Sterling said on Sky Sports, “I came in a difficult period, that’s all finished now.” “The most important thing is that I’ve looked in the mirror and realized that I’m someone who constantly tries to reflect on what I’ve been doing, what I’ve done incorrectly, and what I can change.” I want to return to my previous level of football mania. 24/7 football and nothing else, emphasizing excellent performance, goals, and assists.

The 28-year-odl has also been a fixture in Gareth Southgate’s England squads, but found himself out of the reckoning after a disappointing season

 

Sterling was pictured during a session at Camberley Judo Club as he sought to regain fitness

The England star gave credit to Mauricio Pochettino for his promising start to the campaign

‘I said [to myself] lots happened in your career, a new challenge, coming to a challenge is difficult and your head can be a bit blurry and you need that clear to see exactly what you want. 

‘My love of football is too much to fizzle out at this age, at 28. I want to make sure I’m maintaining the standards I’ve set for the last few years and keep going.’

This is a player, after all, who had reached double figures for Premier League goals in the five seasons before his move to Chelsea.

It was not just judo and hill runs that helped Sterling clear his head and find his feet but also a chat with Pochettino.

‘I had a conversation with the gaffer earlier last week and we’ve gone through the role, and I know exactly what he needs from me and it’s as simple as that,’ said Sterling.

‘My feeling all last season was I was too deep and playing the ball to the full-backs. We had a simple conversation. He said: ‘Raheem, it doesn’t matter where you play, if you are dynamic and aggressive, no one can stop you. It doesn’t matter left, right, centre, just be aggressive with the ball. I have got the desire and hunger to do that.’

Sterling declared too that he wants to be Chelsea’s top scorer this season. That’s the target.

Team-mate Nicolas Jackson might have something to say about that. Sterling set up the Senegal international against Luton for his first Chelsea goal.

The England player praised Mauricio Pochettino for his team’s encouraging start to the season.

I told myself, “There have been many changes in your professional life, including a new challenge. Facing a challenge can be challenging, and you need a clear head to know exactly what you want. 

“At the age of 28, my passion for football is too great to fade away.” I want to make certain that I uphold the standards I’ve established over the past few years and continue.

After all, this guy recorded double digit Premier League goals in each of the five seasons prior to his transfer to Chelsea.

Along with judo and hill runs, a conversation with Pochettino also assisted Sterling in getting his bearings and clearing his brain.

It’s that simple, said Sterling, “I had a conversation with the gaffer earlier last week and we’ve gone over the role, and I know exactly what he needs from me.”

“All last season, I had the impression that I was playing the ball too deep to the full-backs.” We had a straightforward discussion. Raheem, no matter where you play, if you’re dynamic and aggressive, nobody can stop you, the man added. No matter where you pass the ball—left, right, or center—just be active. I’m hungry and have the desire to do that.

Also declaring his intention to lead Chelsea in goals this year is Sterling. That is the objective.

Nicolas Jackson, a teammate, might have some thoughts about that. For his first Chelsea goal against Luton, Sterling assisted the Senegal international.