Raheem Sterling has admitted he joined Chelsea after being impressed with their intent to sign him from Manchester City.
Sterling signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge with the option of a further 12 months, bringing an end to a seven-year association with Premier League champions City.
The 27-year-old lifted the Premier League title on four separate occasions, but became disillusioned with life at City after losing his place as a regular starter.
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Sterling has now revealed what attracted him to playing for Chelsea - admitting that his £47.5m move was a 'blessing in disguise' and a huge opportunity to reset and challenge himself.
"It was their intent, how they approached me," Sterling revealed. "I wasn't listening to promises, I was seeing action and I think that was one of the factors that made me really consider the football club, the way they showed me how important a role I could have here.
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"Looking back on what they have achieved here in the last couple of years, the finals they missed out on, the new owner taking over, it's a team that is always competing on all fronts and I knew it would only get better. I didn't need to make another choice.
"It was a possibility I wouldn't let pass. It's a blessing in disguise, it's another challenge and a challenge I'll look back on at the end of my career and know I stepped up to the plate and I can be happy with myself.
"The most part was just getting to play football week in, week out. It was the first time in my career experiencing that, it was kind of a shock, so I just wanted to get back playing and enjoying my football again. It was as simple as that, and I knew that once I could do that, I could be happy and show that on the field."
Sterling has started in both of Chelsea's Premier League games to date - the 1-0 win over Everton and feisty 2-2 draw with Tottenham - and will hope to get off the mark goalscoring wise when the Blues travel to Elland Road on Sunday to face Leeds United.
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Source : 90min