Sterling deal kick-starts Chelsea era

Kalidou Koulibaly has arrived in London to complete his £34 million move to Chelsea before joining the first signing of the Todd Boehly era, Raheem Sterling, on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Sterling declared that he was returning “home” to London by joining Chelsea from Manchester City in a £47.5 million move that could rise to £50 million with add-ons.

The forward trained with his new team-mates for the first time yesterday and will quickly be followed by Koulibaly, the Senegal and Napoli defender, who is scheduled to take his medical today before flying to join the squad in the US.

Sterling could debut in Chelsea’s first preseason friendly against Club America in Las Vegas at the weekend.

Koulibaly, 31, will sign a four-year contract, which is a big break from the philosophy of the former Roman Abramovich ownership, when players over the age of 30 were restricted to 12 or 18-month rolling deals.

Chelsea still expect Nathan Ake to join Koulibaly in their defensive shake-up. Ake has agreed personal terms, but a fee has yet to be settled with City.

Thomas Tuchel, the Chelsea head coach, also retains a strong interest in Presnel Kimpembe, who he managed at Paris St-germain. The German is keen to sign up to three new defenders this summer. Both Tuchel and Thiago Silva, who played with Koulibaly in France, are big fans of the 26-year-old.

Sterling penned a farewell letter to City ahead of Chelsea confirming his move, which made him the club’s first signing of the Boehly-clearlake era.

— Telegraph Media Group