“I played as a wing-back”- Graham Potter hits back at accusations of misusing Raheem Sterling at Chelsea

Chelsea boss Graham Potter hits back at accusations of misusing Raheem Sterling

After the game against Dinamo Zagreb (h/t Metro), Chelsea manager Graham Potter has hit back at accusations that he is wasting the attacking talents of Raheem Sterling and insists the player has never been asked to play as a wing-back.

In both the Champions League games against RB Salzburg and the defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion, Sterling positionally played as a left wing-back. After last week, pundits, including Arsenal legend Ian Wright were confused at the manager’s tactics.

Responding to those accusations, Potter has insisted that Sterling has always been high and wide and not asked to defend as a conventional wing-back is generally told to do. He also talked about injuries forcing him to make tactical tweaks to help the team.

The manager said he has played as a wing-back in the past and he can assure people that Sterling isn’t playing in that role at Chelsea (h/t Metro). The English tactician played as a left-back (and at times, a left-wing-back) between 1992 and 2005 for clubs such as Stoke City and Southampton.

“Well, we’ve tried to play him as high and wide as we can. 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.”

Sterling started as a forward against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday and scored the equaliser in the eventual win for the Blues. By scoring, the 27-year-old ended his 10-game goal drought.

It is understandable what Potter is trying to imply with regard to the Englishman’s positioning. The issue is that he did not have a pre-season with this group of players. So, any tweaks he makes during a season in an intense schedule will take some time to gel with the players.

Moreover, injuries have not helped. N’Golo Kante is a long-term absentee, while Reece James missing in the wing-back position is a huge loss. Now, the regular left-sided fullback Ben Chilwell is out due to a hamstring injury.

We all know how good Sterling is going forward. He was one of the finest goal-scorers in a Manchester City side that won multiple silverware in the last five years. But as Potter mentioned, he is not restricting the talent of the player by starting him as a wing-back positionally.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea and defender Ben Chilwell fear that his hamstring injury could keep him out for months
• Transfer News: Chelsea target Wilfried Zaha looks likely to leave Crystal Palace for free despite lucrative contract offer
• Graham Potter happy for Chelsea star Denis Zakaria after Dinamo Zagreb heroics

It is good to see Potter placing the greater good of the team above one player’s potential preference or ego. Being a model professional throughout his career, fans can expect the England international to give it his all no matter where or how he is used on the pitch.