Mason Mount labelled new Chelsea signing Raheem Sterling as a "winner" and "experienced" pro, who can fill a leadership void and help the Blues compete for trophies on all fronts.
Sterling arrived from Manchester City for a reported fee in the region of £45million on Wednesday, as Chelsea announced their first signing since Todd Boehly's consortium acquired the club.
The England international joins his new Chelsea team-mates in the United States on their pre-season tour, having signed a five-year deal with Thomas Tuchel's side.
Only Riyad Mahrez (24) and Kevin De Bruyne (19) scored mores times in all competitions than Sterling (17) last season for City, but Mount says it is not just the forward's ability that will be vital for Chelsea.
"He's a top guy, such an experienced player, top class pro," Mount told Sky Sports.
"I've obviously been lucky to play with him over the last couple of years with England where he has captained the team at times, and he is someone who has been there for a very long time.
"When did he make his debut, 17, 18? So, he's a top player and I've learnt a lot from him over the last few years.
"For him to be joining us it is only going to bring our levels higher, he's definitely someone who strives for high levels to win and that's what we want.
"We want those players around this group and I'm very excited to see him and for him to be here."
Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger head the outgoings at Chelsea this transfer window, with Romelu Lukaku joining Inter on loan and Barcelona reportedly interested in Cesar Azpilicueta.
With numerous key figures departing Stamford Bridge, Mount believes Sterling can take a leadership role for Tuchel's side as they chase domestic and European glory.
"I think obviously we have lost a few that are leaders, and I think he is coming in and he will be someone that is going to lead, be a big presence," Mount added.
"He'll be a big personality, that's what he's like but he's only going to make us better so I'm very excited.
"He's a winner and us as a team, we want to keep striving for that so hopefully we can win some things together."
Sterling may get his first action in a Chelsea shirt against Club America on Sunday before follow-up fixtures against Charlotte FC and rivals Arsenal.
Tuchel's side then conclude their pre-season preparations with a clash against Udinese, before their Premier League opener at Everton on August 6.
Pochettino urges Chelsea players to have more self-belief
Mauricio Pochettino has reminded his team to respect themselves as they prepare for another tough game against Aston Villa on Saturday.
After being knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City last Saturday, the Blues were thrashed 5-0 by title-chasing Arsenal in midweek for their 11th defeat of the season.
Chelsea still have an outside chance of finishing in the top seven as they sit just three points behind Newcastle United with two games in hand.
Asked if his side are capable of putting the disappointment of their last two results behind them, Pochettino said: “Lack of belief, in the circumstances, sometimes happens.
“We tried to realise how we need to behave when the game is tough when the demands are so high. We need to try and be more strong and to trust in the way that we play, in our philosophy, in the way we prepare the games.
“We need to be positive, and we need to be strong and believe tomorrow we can have a good game, good attitude, good approach. We are going to compete again with another team, fighting for the top. We need to think we are Chelsea and respect ourselves."
RFEF elects Rocha as new president
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed Pedro Rocha as its new president.
Rocha has been elected as Luis Rubiales' replacement, despite being under investigation for corruption.
He had been serving as interim president since Rubiales resigned in September over the scandal caused when he kissed player Jenni Hermoso following Spain's Women's World Cup triumph in August.
In a statement released on Friday, the RFEF said: "Pedro Rocha has today been proclaimed the new president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), after having received the support of the majority of the assembly members of this institution that governs Spanish football.
"The process followed the procedure agreed by the Electoral Commission, which met this morning, and the timetable that was established for these elections."
Rocha has been under investigation since earlier in April, after the RFEF's headquarters was raided by police last month. The Spanish government announced on Thursday that it would be stepping in to oversee the running of the organisation.
Guardiola insists three teams still in title hunt despite Liverpool slip-up
Pep Guardiola insists Liverpool remain in the Premier League title race, despite the Reds losing further ground on Arsenal and Manchester City in a dramatic few days at the summit.
Liverpool suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday, a result which meant they failed to close the gap to Arsenal after the Gunners thrashed Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday.
While Jurgen Klopp's men couldn't respond to the Gunners pulling clear, City did on Thursday, with Phil Foden scoring twice in an emphatic 4-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
One point behind Arsenal with a game in hand, City know five wins from their five remaining matches will seal an unprecedented fourth successive English top-flight title.
However, Guardiola expects further twists and turns in the coming weeks.
Asked if Liverpool were still in contention after City's win, Guardiola told Sky Sports: "Yeah. Many things can happen.
"What happened with Liverpool, losing to Crystal Palace and Everton, can happen to us. It can happen to Arsenal. No-one is safe. We have to rest. Now it is just about recovering for the next one.
"We have been here in the past but being here in the past doesn't mean it is going to happen. We have to do the things to make it happen."
City's comprehensive win – in which Kevin De Bruyne scored his first headed goal in the Premier League – saw them cut Arsenal's goal difference advantage to eight goals.
However, Guardiola believes it will be tough for City to close that gap, saying: "It is difficult to cut. The margin is so big. They score a lot of goals and don't concede.
"The main thing is to win the games. We have five games left and they are tough ones – it's a lot of games. We'll take it one game at a time."
Foden's first goal against Brighton – a deflected free-kick – saw him become just the third player to score 50 top-flight goals under Guardiola while aged 23 or younger, after Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi.
Foden is the favourite to be named Premier League Player of the Season, and while Guardiola believes he should be in contention, he says his player is more concerned with team honours.
"For sure, but he wants to win the Premier League," Guardiola said when asked if Foden deserved individual honours. "His influence in the final third was better than in the last two or three games. Today he was more calm, his decision-making was good and to score goals is always good."
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