Dujon Sterling Illness: Who is Dujon Sterling? What Illness Does Dujon Sterling Have?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Jun 01, 2023
Dujon Sterling Illness
The convergence of various factors significantly impacted his loan season at the DW Stadium, resulting in minimal playing time over a period of 18 months. The initial setback occurred during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic when Sterling encountered an undisclosed illness that seriously threatened his professional career.
Furthermore, in April 2022, toward the conclusion of his loan tenure with Blackpool, he sustained an injury to his ankle ligaments, further impeding his progress. These circumstances collectively hindered Sterling's ability to contribute effectively and adversely affected his loan spell.
Who is Dujon Sterling?
Dujon Henriques Sterling, born on 24 October 1999, is an English footballer who currently serves as a right-back for Rangers, a team in the Scottish Premiership.
Sterling commenced his journey with Chelsea in 2007, joining their youth setup at the under-8 level. He made his under-19 debut for the club in a UEFA Youth League match against Sporting CP in December 2014. Despite primarily being deployed as a wing-back recently, Sterling has showcased versatility by playing as a winger or even as a center-forward. His notable performances during Chelsea's 2015-16 FA Youth Cup campaign, where he scored goals in both the semi-final and final matches, garnered attention and admiration.
In recognition of his promising potential, Sterling was promoted to Chelsea's U23 squad for the 2016-17 season when he was just 16 years old. He became an integral figure within the team, making 24 appearances and scoring four goals. In October 2016, upon reaching his 17th birthday, Sterling signed his first professional contract, signifying a significant milestone in his young career.
Sterling's official debut for Chelsea arrived on 20 September 2017, during an EFL Cup third-round encounter against Nottingham Forest. He entered the field as a substitute, replacing Davide Zappacosta for the final 14 minutes of the match, which ultimately concluded in a resounding 5-1 victory for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
What Illness Does Dujon Sterling Have?
At the onset of 2020, Dujon Henriques Sterling encountered a hamstring injury while on loan at Wigan Athletic, which sidelined him for a duration of three months. However, what unfolded thereafter was beyond anyone's expectations or preparations.
Amidst the initial wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sterling fell ill, facing a severe threat to his professional career. The fact that he managed to make a remarkable comeback within the following 12 months stands as a testament to his remarkable mental strength, maturity, and unwavering determination to succeed.
Undoubtedly, this experience has profoundly transformed Sterling, as is natural in such circumstances. Moreover, it has had a positive impact on him. Sterling acknowledges, "It has made me more focused, undoubtedly. The realization that my football career could be abruptly taken away from me, as I was told during my recovery, has instilled a deep appreciation for every single day that I am able to play."
Throughout the majority of 2020, Sterling spent his recovery period mostly on the sidelines, undertaking much of the rehabilitation process alone at Cobham. Only a select few were aware of the extent of his illness. Nevertheless, Sterling was prepared to make a comeback at the beginning of the subsequent year. Despite receiving loan offers from various clubs, he made the mature decision to remain with Chelsea, recognizing the importance of his continued development within the club's setup.
Sterling's resurgence at Chelsea did not go unnoticed. Not only did he exhibit enhanced physical attributes, owing to his dedicated gym work resulting in increased size, strength, and speed, but he also demonstrated heightened composure and thoughtfulness. Furthermore, he grasped what it truly takes to thrive in the most demanding and high-pressure environments.
It is crucial to remember the high regard in which Sterling was held during his time at the Chelsea Academy. He not only played alongside and shone alongside talented individuals such as Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, Trevoh Chalobah, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Tammy Abraham, but also achieved significant successes, including winning three FA Youth Cups and securing two UEFA Youth League titles.
Numerous clubs expressed interest in acquiring Sterling's services, yet he remained loyal to Chelsea. At the age of 16, he even had the opportunity to be part of the first-team setup under Antonio Conte, who granted Sterling his senior debut in September 2017.
The exposure Sterling gained from his involvement with the first team proved invaluable when he joined the pre-season training group under the watchful eye of Chelsea's head coach, Thomas Tuchel, last summer. Tuchel is known to hold Sterling in high regard and utilized him extensively during Chelsea's pre-season campaign, albeit deploying him in the unfamiliar position of right center-back. Nevertheless, Sterling made a positive impact.
Reflecting on the experience, Sterling explains, "It was one of the best pre-seasons I've ever had. I felt a remarkable sense of confidence and was able to showcase my game and make a lasting impression.
The feedback I received confirmed this. Moreover, receiving positive recognition from the supporters, particularly after the Arsenal game, was incredibly satisfying. Tuchel had encouraging words for me, expressing his belief in my abilities and recommending that I seek regular playing time elsewhere."
This is where Blackpool, a Championship club managed by former Liverpool youth coach Neil Critchley, entered the picture. Sterling reveals, "Critchley contacted me and expressed his belief in my potential to excel, assuring me that he could aid in getting my career back on track. The loan spell at Blackpool has been highly rewarding and has undoubtedly met my expectations."
Dujon Sterling Net Worth
Dujon Sterling is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Scottish Premiership side Rangers. He has a net worth of €800,000 as of June 2023. Sterling began his career at Chelsea, where he rose through the youth ranks and made his senior debut in 2017. He has since been loaned out to Coventry City, Wigan Athletic, Blackpool, and Stoke City. In 2023, he joined Rangers on a permanent deal.
Sterling is a versatile player who can play at right-back, right wing-back, or right midfield. He is known for his pace, crossing ability, and work ethic. He has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-20 level.
Sterling's net worth is largely derived from his salary and bonuses from his professional football career. He has also earned money from sponsorship deals with Nike and Beats Electronics. Sterling is a young and promising player with a bright future ahead of him. He is expected to continue to earn good money as his career progresses.
Dujon Sterling Illness-FAQs
Dujon Sterling is an English footballer who plays as a right-back for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
Sterling joined Chelsea in 2007 and has been associated with the club since then. He has also had loan spells at clubs such as Wigan Athletic and Blackpool.
Sterling suffered from an illness during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which posed a significant threat to his career. However, he managed to battle back and make a successful comeback.
Thomas Tuchel, the head coach of Chelsea, has shown belief in Sterling's abilities and utilized him during the pre-season campaign, helping to further his progress.