Raheem Sterling scored for the first time in ten matches (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea boss Graham Potter has hit back at accusations that he is wasting the attacking potential of Raheem Sterling and insists the forward has ‘never’ been asked to play wing-back.
Sterling got on the scoresheet as Chelsea beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, ending a run of ten matches without a goal in the process.
The 27-year-old’s been shifted around since Potter’s appointment and many have accused the former Brighton boss of playing Sterling in an unorthodox wing-back role.
Chelsea have sustained injuries to Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante and Reece James in recent weeks, while Mateo Kovacic and Kepa have also had spells on the sidelines.
Potter says those injuries have forced him to switch things around but he denies playing Sterling at wing-back.
Sterling could miss out on England’s squad (Picture: Getty)
‘Well, we’ve tried to play him as high and wide as we can, Potter told reporters after Chelsea’s win against the Croatians.
‘I know there is a lot of talk about him being a wing-back, but I played as a wing-back and I can assure you that Raheem has never played as a wing-back! He has never been asked to play and defend in a back five or back four even. His responsibility has always been against the full-back.
‘With the back four behind him tonight probably helped, he was a little bit higher and a little bit wider. It was nice for him to score because he has been working hard for the team. As I said before, the team has to function well for the individuals to do well. So I’m really pleased he got his goal today.’
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With Sterling’s lean spell in front of goal, there has been speculation that he could even miss out on England’s World Cup squad.
But Potter says Sterling has done what he’s needed to do for the side and that his quality is undoubted.
‘We’ve had an incredibly challenging October,’ said Potter.
‘We came in and faced one point in two matches in the Champions League, were in a situation where we had to get results, lost key players in Wesley Fofana and Reece James, and there is always a little bit of stability that is affected when that happens. With a game every two or three days, it’s not straightforward to find the right solutions.
‘In the end, we’ve had one defeat in eleven. Yesterday, we talked about pressure and that’s the life we have. Everyone has to try their best and I am happy for Raheem that he scored. No-one is doubting his quality here, that is for sure.’
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He defended his tactics.
