Raheem Sterling is currently the top goal scorer for Chelsea this season with four goals in eight matches.
The 27-year-old was mostly deployed as a false nine under Thomas Tuchel but seems new Chelsea manager Graham Potter has new plans for the current Chelsea top scorer this season.
Graham Potter in his game as a Chelsea manager deployed a 3-4-3 formation with Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, and Marc Cucurella as the center backs, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho in the midfielder, Raheem Sterling and Reece James as the wing backs and Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the attackers.
Sterling scored Chelsea’s only goal against Salzburg. The England international has revealed that he is enjoying his new role under Graham Potter as a wingback.
What did Raheem Sterling say?
The England international told reporters, saying: “I played in a slightly different role under the new manager, and it is one I enjoyed playing, out wide. Over time, I will get better.
“I am happy to play along the front line, but he wanted me out wide, getting at the full-back, getting in the box, and creating chances. The more time under him [Potter] I think, the better it will be for us.
Chelsea is currently the bottom in Group E with one point in two games and their next Champions League game is against group leader AC Milan.
Raheem Sterling added that the draw against RB Salzburg was not the result they wanted.
“It was definitely a frustrating result. With how we played, the chances we created, one chance they got a goal. It’s a bad result in the end, but I thought we played some good football at times.
“I think it’s a game we should have won as we dominated the game. There were some good moments there to look back at, but it’s a game we’ve got to finish off. We just needed to see the game out.
“It was a game where we were patient, got some chances, and then I took the chance. But we have to finish the job off. I felt we were in control, one chance and then one goal (for FC Salzburg). It is one that, under the new manager, we can just keep going and progressing.”
Asked about how the entire squad is dealing with the change in manager, he continued: “It is still early days with him but he is getting his message across and the boys are receiving it well but it is about gelling time.”
Graham Potter also shared his frustration after the 1-1 draw with Salzburg, saying: “We’re frustrated with just the one point. I thought the application of the players and the attitude of the players was fantastic, and I really enjoyed how they went about their work against a good opponent, an opponent that makes it difficult for you. They attack quickly and defend well.
“I thought in the first half we got Raheem into some good one-vs-one situations and created some opportunities, but they got some blocks in. We scored a good goal, and in the period we didn’t control it as well as we had, we concede which is disappointing, but it can happen at this level.
“And then our response was really good. Their keeper has made a couple of saves, and we needed that second goal, but it didn’t come. We’re disappointed with one point.”
