Paul Merson explains why Thomas Tuchel should forget signing Raheem Sterling for Chelsea

Paul Merson has told Thomas Tuchel to forget signing Raheem Sterling this summer because the attacker would not fit into Chelsea’s style.

With the sale of the London club to Todd Boehly set to be ratified on Monday, Tuchel is now seriously thinking about transfers. The German boss has delayed his holiday and has remained at the club in preparation for next season.

According to The Telegraph, Boehly is ready to put up around £200m for the club to spend in this summer’s window

Defenders are expected to be a priority, but if the likes of Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech are sold, then Tuchel could draft in some attacking players with the proceeds.

And one of those who could be targeted is City star Raheem Sterling.

The England man is out of contract in July 2023 and last month said he would assess his situation in the summer.

“I think that’s the most important thing. At this period, I think it would be selfish of me to speak of any contract situation and I’m just happy to be playing football and see where we are at the end of the season,” said Sterling.

And with very little movement on a new deal at The Etihad, links have emerged with Chelsea.

Merson though thinks Sterling, who has also been linked with Real Madrid, would not be a success if he was to move south to west London.

Merson told the Daily Star: “Chelsea need a big summer of signings and they might not get that.

“They need at least a couple of defenders because Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are leaving, and they might not be the only ones leaving either

But they are stuck with Romelu Lukaku. They won’t be able to sell him without making a loss, and who could they get to replace him? Top-class centre forwards are scarce.

“They might go for Raheem Sterling but he plays the Manchester City way. I don’t think Raheem Sterling scores 20 goals a season for Chelsea.

He likes to arrive late in the box at the far post for a tap-in. There’s an art to that. But I don’t see that ball getting whipped across the box like that too often at Chelsea. So where does he get his goals from?”

Tuchel blamed by Merson

Merson also believed Tuchel has to take some responsibility for Chelsea’s drop off at the end of the season.

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The Blues fired 18 fewer goals than Liverpool and 23 fewer than Champions Man City. And Merson says there has been “no consistency” in attack.

“I still don’t think Thomas Tuchel knows his best line-up if I’m being honest. He has too many options. But not enough of his forwards have done the business this season,” added the former Arsenal man.

“There’s no consistency at Chelsea. That doesn’t help either because you can’t build up an understanding with the players around you.

‘That’s Lukaku’s problem as well. Granted, I don’t think he works hard enough. But he hasn’t had the same players around him week in week out either.

“They chop and change. The mentality has to change as well because when they are on it, they are no different to Manchester City and Liverpool.”