Chelsea hero Joe Cole has hailed the signing of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.

The Blues paid around £47m to sign Sterling from rivals Manchester, and Joe Cole believes it’s a good signing.

According to Joe Cole, Chelsea signed up the 27-year-old at the peak of his career.

He told Chelsea’s official website: “He’s a great man now but was a great kid.

“He was very mature, very driven and a fantastic talent. He was one of those where you expected him to become a player.

“The longevity he has had is incredible and he’s still young. Arguably, Chelsea could be getting him in his best years.

“Raheem is a leader, a quiet leader and he gives us experience in that area of the pitch.”

Cole continued: “His dynamism, he makes things happen, his running behind. He is a fantastic timer of runs into the box and is technically very good.

“He can take a man out with his dribbling which is vital. He is an all-rounder, he gets goals, he makes goals. He makes a difference in big games, that’s what we need.”

Cole added: “He’s probably looked at Chelsea and thought there’s an opportunity for me to be the main man here. I think it’s Raheem wanting a new challenge.

“I’m excited, it’s the first signing of the new era and it is what I call a signing for now.

“You’re not concerned about there being a period of adjustment. There might be but you’re buying someone to produce the goods in the first game of the season.”