Dujon Sterling reveals Chelsea motivation after illness threatened to end his career

Things change quickly in football. Tomorrow’s star can become yesterday’s man in an instant. A fading talent can suddenly realise their true potential. And in the case of Dujon Sterling, an enforced 18-month absence can be used to fuel an ascent to the top.

That is the path the Chelsea academy graduate is on. And after a year of people curiously asking what had happened to Sterling, the question is now what comes next for the 22-year-old who has thrived on loan at Blackpool this season.

“It’s great being back out on the pitch,” Sterling tells . “Especially after the illness and the injuries.” That second sentence is delivered swiftly, without pause. It betrays the seriousness of the situation the young defender faced.

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At the start of 2020, Sterling suffered a hamstring injury while on loan at Wigan Athletic that kept him out for three months. But what followed could not be envisaged nor planned for. During the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sterling suffered from an illness that threatened his career. That he battled back in the 12 months that followed is testament to his mental fortitude, maturity, and sheer will to succeed.

The experience has changed him. That’s only natural. And it’s for the better. “It's made me focus more, definitely,” Sterling says. “Being told that maybe I wouldn’t be able to play again made me realise that my football career can be snatched away. So now I cherish every day that I am able to play.

“It was a shock when I was told, of course. But five minutes later, I wanted to get started on my recovery. I didn’t wait a day or a week. I didn’t want to go home. I just wanted to get started. Then