Chelsea star Raheem Sterling may have to take on a role that is not familiar to him.

Sterling was an outstanding talent in the Premier League at both Liverpool and Manchester City.

However, he is now in a position where he is a senior statesman in a very young squad.

Sterling, who has only been at Chelsea for 13 months, must help coach Mauricio Pochettino.

A Chelsea insider told The Sun: “Everyone is painfully aware that there is a lack of experience.

"Players like Raheem are old enough and wise enough to take that on board and shoulder some of the responsibility as a more senior man.

“Jorginho leaving for Arsenal in January was a bit of a blow in terms of maturity in the dressing room. Raheem really felt that.

“Losing Cesar [Azpilicueta] in the summer too robbed Chelsea of their ultimate leader by example. It's an issue Mauricio needs to address sharpish."