Raheem Sterling wants to be ‘obsessed’ with football again after his brace in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Luton – as star reflects on last season’s ‘frustration’ and reveals his chat with Mauricio Pochettino

Raheem Sterling revealed he wants to be ‘obsessed’ with football again after an eye-catching display in Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Luton Town on Friday.

The England international scored twice against the newly-promoted Hatters to earn Mauricio Pochettino his first win as Chelsea boss. 

Sterling has made a bright start to the season, showing signs of promise in the opening weekend draw with Liverpool and last week’s defeat to West Ham, and the 28-year-old capped a fine display against Luton with his first goals of the the season.

Speaking after the game, he revealed his motivation for improving on a difficult first campaign at Stamford Bridge. 

He told Sky Sports: ‘I want to get back to being obsessed with football. Just football 24/7 and nothing else and focus on top performances and goals and assists.

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

‘It was a bit of frustration from last season from myself personally because I felt like I was always coming with my back to goal. A bit deep and I wasn’t giving myself enough chances to get into the box.’ 

Sterling has started the season in a new-look frontline alongside summer signing Nicolas Jackson, who scored his first goal for the Blues to round off the 3-0 win.

And the former Manchester City man was quick to credit Pochettino for his bright start to the new campaign. 

He said: ‘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.

‘I need to get on the back foot and do what I do and drive at players and get on it and that’s when I’m most effective.

Sterling has been part of a new-look frontline alongside summer signing Nicolas Jackson

Pochettino will lean on the 28-year-old if he is to help the Blues climb the table this season

‘I came [to Chelsea] in a difficult period, that’s all finished.. I think the most important thing, I’ve had a look at myself and I’m a person who always tries to analyse what I’ve been doing, what I’ve done wrong, what I can change.’

Sterling only found the net on nine occasions last season as Chelsea slumped to a 12th-place finish in the Premier League. 

However, he now looks to have a new lease of life under Pochettino and is set to be a vital part of any attempt to climb the league table this term.

Chelsea return to action next week when they take on AFC WImbledon in the second round of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.