Raheem Sterling: Pochettino Makes Hilarious David Beckham Comparison After Brilliant Freekick

Raheem Sterling: Pochettino Makes Hilarious David Beckham Comparison After Brilliant Freekick

Martin Moses
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
In this article:
David Beckham logo
D. Beckham
-MEngland logo
Raheem Sterling logo
R.Sterling
Chelsea logoFEngland logo
M. Pochettino
Tottenham Hotspur U23 logoFArgentina logo
  • Mauricio Pochettino was left pleasantly surprised by Raheem Sterling's goal
  • Sterling scored a freekick against Preston North End in the Emirates FA Cup
  • It is the second time the England international has done so in less than two months

Chelsea Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino made a hilarious comparison between Raheem Sterling and David Beckham after the former scored another scintillating freekick on January 6.

Sterling was among the goals as the West London side put four against Preston North End to qualify for the fourth round of the FA Cup tie.

Raheem Sterling, Preston North End, David Beckham, Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea
Raheem Sterling scores Chelsea's third goal during their FA Cup match against Preston North End on January 6. Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport.
Source: Getty Images

Preston had managed to peg back Chelsea in the first half, recording an impressive draw as they retreated to the dressing room for half-time.

The Premier League side, however, turned on the screws in the second period, with Armando Broja turning in Malo Gusto's cross in the 58th minute. Veteran Thiago Silva came off the bench to double the lead with a leaping header of his own before Sterling took over the show with the pick of the bunch.

Raheem Sterling's freekick vs Preston

Cole Palmer was fouled near the edge of the area, with Sterling stepping up to take the resulting set-piece. The former Manchester City star bent his effort past the wall before the ball wheezed past Freddie Woodman in the Preston goal.

It was the second time the 29-year-old was scoring another brilliant freekick. He did so in their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on November 25.

After the game, Pochettino joked that Sterling had the legendary Beckham shaking after his recent freekick successes.

"I told him after the game that David Beckham is shaking. That is the quality he has. You can practice every day, but you have to take the freekick and score," he said, as quoted by Hayters TV.

Sporting News reports that Beckham still holds the record for the most direct freekicks scored in the Premier League.

Sterling and Palmer drag penalty

Sports Brief reported on Sterling and Palmer arguing over who would take the contentious penalty given to the Blues in their 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

The two former Manchester City stars were dragging the ball before Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez waded in and passed the ball to the 21-year-old, who scored, and the whole team brushed it aside and celebrated the goal.

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Martin Moses photo
Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)