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Chelsea star Raheem Sterling has opened up on his desire to mentor Chelsea youngsters to lead the club to glory.
Raheem Sterling is already assuming a leadership role for Chelsea under new manager Enzo Maresca.
The ex-Manchester City man wants to help the club's young guns reach their full potential, just like Steven Gerrard did for him back in the day.
Sterling has a special place in his heart for Gerrard, who took him under his wing when he was breaking into the Liverpool team. Now, as a senior player himself, Sterling feels it's his turn to return the favor.
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Sterling ready to lead Chelsea next generation
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"I'm a person that just wants to see players do well and fulfil their potential," Sterling explained.
"If there is something I feel I can help with... it's not trying to tell them what to do, it's trying to be a positive influence. That's what you need in football: positive influences."
Sterling knows all too well how a senior player's attitude can impact a young player's development.
"When you're a senior player and you see a young player, there are two ways you can go about it. You can be negative and try to put them down or you can be positive and give them as much confidence in the group so they can perform on the pitch."
Gerrard's influence on Sterling was a game-changer. "When I was coming through at Liverpool, Steven Gerrard literally put his arm around me when he had more than enough things on his plate. He showed me the right direction, gave me the right messaging, and led by example of how it is to be a professional."
Now, Sterling wants to replicate that same positive influence on Chelsea's youngsters, like Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke. With the club's massive investment in young talent, Sterling feels it's his responsibility to help them grow.
As Chelsea prepares to kick off their Premier League season against Manchester City on Sunday, Sterling will be eager to make a statement against his old club.
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