Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling has been getting better this season with some impressive performances.

That is according to talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent.

Our guess is that most people who watch Chelsea this season will firmly agree with that opinion, too.

Raheem Sterling, 28, is emerging as a key player in the Blues line-up this year. He’s got five goals and two assists in 14 games so far this campaign.

A lot of people are mystified that the £50million winger (Daily Mail) isn’t in the current England squad. For example, speaking via the Premier League’s official website this week, Alan Shearer said Sterling is “unlucky” not to be with England during the international break.

Stepping up in second season

Darren Bent really likes what he’s seen so far from Sterling during his second term at Stamford Bridge.

Bent told talkSPORT: “Sterling, how’s he not in the England squad? I don’t get it. He’s stepped up.

“It almost feels like, and I hate it, Gareth is trying to phase him out. His form is a good as anyone in that wide left position.”

Raheem Sterling to hit 20 G/A

We’re confident that Sterling can hit 20 direct goal contributions this season.

The rapid wide player, who’s thriving on the left winger recently, scored a trademark goal of his in the weekend’s 4-4 draw versus Manchester City in the Premier League. He made a living as a Man City player arriving at the back post to score goals, something he did against his former club on Sunday.

Sterling’s got the CV to prove he’s got no problem scoring goals at a decent rate in the Premier League. He’s got 119 goals and 82 assists during 360 appearances in England’s top division.

The eye test suggests that Sterling is now a lot more settled in his environment at Chelsea, so we expect to see a lot more of him moving forward. The international snub should only serve to fire him up even more, too!

Let’s hope that he makes it impossible for him not to be recalled in time for the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.