The symbolism obviously was unintentional, but it was also unmistakable.
There was Raheem Sterling, receiving a “very warm welcome” from Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel as the squad gathered before training in the Southern California sun. And behind Sterling, largely eclipsed by Chelsea’s brand new, $56 million signing, was a stoic Christian Pulisic. As the coach told Sterling, “We’re very happy that you’re here,” it was impossible not to imagine Pulisic, his face peeking out from behind his new teammate’s, wondering where he now stands on Tuchel’s depth chart.
Chelsea’s social media staffers were fired up for Sterling’s arrival, and that brief video was just one among the 20-plus Twitter and Instagram posts they unleashed Wednesday and Thursday.