Raheem Sterling vs Eden Hazard: Can Sterling Replace Former Chelsea Star at Stamford Bridge?

• Statistics have shown that Raheem Sterling has the potential to take after Eden Hazard as a Chelsea legend
• Hazard spent seven years at Chelsea, the same number Sterling spent at Manchester City before he joined Chelsea earlier this week
• The England star outscored Hazard in fewer appearances and was not a key man in Manchester

Raheem Sterling was recently confirmed as the first signing of the Todd Boehly-era at Chelsea. Chelsea went through with the negotiations to snap up Sterling from Manchester City after it had emerged that Thomas Tuchel had placed him high on his wishlist.

The England international is expected to walk straight into Tuchel's starting XI. He is yet to be assigned a jersey number with both of his favourite numbers, 7 and 10, in use at the moment.

But while Tuchel has been able to win trophies with Chelsea, many fans still miss the presence of Eden Hazard, who has a stellar seven-year campaign in London. Hazard was one of the best players in the Premier League and his departure to Real Madrid left a big hole that Chelse has never filled to date.

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Is Raheem Sterling the man to take over from Eden Hazard?

Whilst Chelsea has brought in the likes of Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, no player has even shown half of what Hazard did in a Chelsea shirt. The Belgian, through his quick feet and rare ingenuity, could turn the game on its head single-handedly on a regular and consistent basis.

In Sterling, Chelsea are getting a certified dribbler and a player who can pop up with crucial goal returns. His last goal return for Manchester City was the dramatic comeback against Aston Villa that saw City retain the League title on the last day.

Planet Football statistics show that Sterling was as integral to Manchester City as Hazard was to Chelsea. Sterling played for seven years in Manchester, where he scored more goals in fewer appearances while taking fewer penalties than Hazard's time at Chelsea.

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One other key factor will be that Sterling was part of a marquee Manchester City squad while Hazard was the main man at Chelsea. Can Sterling thrive where he is the go-to person?

Well, the Premier League is less than three weeks away. We shall see.

Statistics show that Raheem Sterling was Pep Guardiola's most important player

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Pep Guardiola’s attack will certainly have a different look next season after the departure of Sterling and Jesus, as well as the addition of Erling Haalan from Borussia Dortmund.

While thinking of Manchester City legends, many will go towards the way of Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and perhaps Kevin de Bruyne.

But if stats compiled by BBC and accolades are anything to go by, Raheem Sterling has also been a key part of Pep Guardiola’s success since coming to the Etihad in 2016.