Raheem Sterling says he is looking forward to getting back into the England set-up with the 29-year-old confident he can thrive at Chelsea in Enzo Maresca's system.

Sterling excelled at Manchester City playing in a similar style of play and is hopeful a recall for the national team will follow if he can replicate that form at Stamford Bridge.

The dynamic dribbler last appeared for England in December 2022 in the World Cup quarter-finals. After featuring heavily in Chelsea’s United States tour, he said: ‘I love playing for England.

‘It is one of the best feelings you can ever have. To see the boys out there (at Euro 2024) brought me joy. To be honest, the only games I watched were the England ones.

‘I love playing for England. If the opportunity comes around, it is something that I've always dreamt of as a kid. You say it like I'm 38 or something! Football has different timings.

Raheem Sterling has revealed his determination to get back in the England set-up 

'There was a period with a lot of injuries and comebacks. It was a different part of my life. I am looking forward to getting back in the England set-up, that is for sure.’

Chelsea kickstart their Premier League season at home to City, who Sterling scored against last season home and away. That included in the 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Read More

LISTEN: Graeme Souness fights back tears as he recalls his mum's death

Asked about Maresca’s philosophy being similar to Pep Guardiola’s and if that can help him succeed, Sterling said: ‘Best out of me. Best out of the team.

‘He has come in and stamped his authority, the way he wants to play. Yes, some of the results haven't been pleasing on the eye but with the ball, the right information is getting passed on, you can see the patterns that are coming through. It is early days.

‘You can see where we're looking to go. You can see the way we are trying to play and with this way, in the early stages, mistakes are made and in some games it costs us.

‘But the manager is highlighting what we can do better. It is a learning process for the whole group and one we are grasping really quickly. The Premier League is coming along very soon so I do think it is good times ahead.’

Sterling started two of Chelsea’s five friendlies in the United States, coming on as a substitute in the other three. He has shown some positive signs since getting to work under Maresca and said: ‘I do see great potential within the team. 

'The group is young but with the players we have, we have to mature really quickly, which we are. You can see the good football we are playing at times and we need to simplify certain things and the results will come our way to compete.’