“He must have been watching” – Chelsea loanee received message from Sterling after Huddersfield debut | OneFootball

Chelsea loanee Alex Matos has revealed he received a message of support from Raheem Sterling after making his debut for Huddersfield Town.

Matos was signed from Norwich City last summer as part of the club’s new youth focused recruitment drive under Todd Boehly and Clearlake.

He was one of a number of players to leave the Blues on loan in January, as he joined Championship outfit Huddersfield for the second half of the season.

The 19-year-old has been named in a number of Chelsea match day squads this season, and was even handed his debut by Mauricio Pochettino, coming on as a late substitute against Fulham in October.

Such has been the rise of Matos he only appeared a handful of times for the academy before going to train with the first team, where he clearly left an impression.

Matos’ first game for Huddersfield was away at none other than treble winners Manchester City in the FA Cup, who ran out comfortable winners.

The midfielder more than held his own, and revealed after the game one Chelsea player was very quick to get in touch with him.

“I had messages from some of the players at Chelsea”, Matos told The Athletic.

“Obviously some were from young guys like myself Alfie Gilchrist, Leo Castledine, but I had messages encouraging me from senior players as well.

“One was from Raheem Sterling. He must have been watching. It always feels good to get that kind of acknowledgement from someone like him.”

It’s not the first time Chelsea players have mentioned Sterling’s role in helping some of the younger players develop, with Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka both mentioning how the 29-year-old has helped them.

Matos has made 16 appearances in the Championship for Huddersfield, scoring once, as he gains valuable first team football which will only aid his development.