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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Who is Dujon Sterling? Chelsea player assessed as Rangers look to make a move

Rangers are keen to sign Dujon Sterling from Chelsea this summer.

His deal at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of next month.

And Michael Beale is keen to sign the defender as part of his Ibrox rebuild this pre-season.

The Gers boss is aware of the player's career to date having previously spent time with Chelsea's academy.

Here's everything you need to know about Sterling.

Who is Dujon Sterling?

Sterling is a 23-year-old defender by trade. 

He's been at Chelsea since the age of eight, and made his first team debut for his boyhood club in September 2017 against Nottingham Forest.

In the academy at the Blues, Starling has won the FA Youth Cup on two occasions, as well as the UEFA Youth League as an under-16.

Most recently, he spent this season on loan at Stoke City where he made 28 appearances in all competitions as they finished 16th in the Championship. He had no goals or assists to his name, but did miss a sizable chunk of the campaign with a groin injury.

His first loan spell in football was with Coventry in 2018 in League One. The following year he turned out for Wigan in the Championship before a hamstring injury curtailed his season. Sterling also has first team experience at Blackpool.

He's also heavily featured for England's youth teams coming up through the ranks.

He is not related to current Chelsea and England attacker Raheem.

What kind of player is Dujon Sterling?

Sterling started out his career at centre-back coming through the Chelsea youth system. 

However, he's incredibly versatile and has more recently been deployed at right-wing-back by Alex Neil at Stoke, with his one-on-one defending a notable strong point of his.

He's comfortable in a back four, playing there several times for the Potters this campaign, and has also been known to cover the left defensive flank, with the ability to get forward too.

At Blackpool, the dynamic and pacey player also showed his capabilities playing in the right of a back three.

He's essentially capable in more than one system as a right-sided defender, right-back, or playing as a wing-back - something that will be appealing to Beale.

Sterling said: “It’s never a bad thing being able to play in a number of positions.

"The fact I can play in a number of positions is beneficial to me and the team.”

What does the future hold for Dujon Sterling?

Speaking only last week, the defender insisted that his future would become a lot clearer in the coming month or so, but he remained coy at the same time.

Neil is keen to retain him at Stoke, but there will certainly be no shortage of interest in the out-of-contract Chelsea player.

Whoever signs Sterling, Chelsea will be due some form of compensation as he doesn't turn 24 until October.

Sterling said: "I’ll know by the end of May what I’m going to do next season. I’m not really talking about anything.

“I spoke to the club and I have a meeting with the gaffer on Saturday.

“For now they know my position and they respect that I don’t really want to talk about any ongoing contracts until I’m back from holiday.

“I have enjoyed my time here this season. We have a really good bunch of players and I think we could do something next season.”

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