Raheem Sterling’s offensive talent is allegedly being wasted by Chelsea manager Graham Potter, but the manager maintains that the striker has ‘never’ been asked to play wing-back.
Sterling scored during Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge, snapping a streak of ten games without a goal.
Since Potter’s hiring, the 27-year-old has been moved around, and many claim that the former Brighton manager has been using Sterling in an unconventional wing-back position.
Wesley Fofana, N’GOLO Kante, and Reece James have all recently suffered injuries for Chelsea, and Mateo Kovacic and Kepa Arrizabalaga have also missed time due to injury.
Potter claims that the injuries prompted him to change things up, but he insists that Sterling was not used as a wing-back.
Following Chelsea’s victory over Dinamo Zagreb, Potter told reporters, “Well, we’ve tried to play him as high and wide as we can.
Raheem Sterling has never played as a wing-back, despite the fact that there is a lot of speculation about him being one. I played wing-back when I was a player. He’s never been expected to defend and play in a back four or a back five. He has always been responsible for guarding the full-back.
He was a little bit higher and wider tonight, which is mainly thanks to the back four. He has been putting in a lot of effort for the squad, so scoring was wonderful for him. As I’ve previously stated, a successful team is necessary for successful individual performance. I’m thus really happy that he scored today.
Sterling’s recent slump in front of goal has fueled rumors that he could not even make England’s World Cup roster.
Potter, though, argues that Sterling has done what he needed to do for the team and that there is no question about his talent.
We’ve had a really difficult month of October, said Potter.
Wesley Fofana and Reece James were crucial players that we lost, and there is always some instability that occurs when that happens. We came in with one point in two matches in the Champions League, and we were in a scenario where we had to get results. Finding the appropriate answers is difficult with a game every two or three days.
In the end, we only suffered one loss out of eleven. We discussed pressure yesterday; that is the way our lives are. Everyone needs to give it their all, and I’m glad Raheem scored. There is no questioning his abilities here, that much is certain.
