Chelsea have two unexpected reasons to drop Raheem Sterling vs Man City after double update
Chelsea news as the Blues welcome league leaders Manchester City to Stamford Bridge with some big calls to make
Raheem Sterling’s chances of being dropped for Chelsea’s match against Manchester City on Sunday are slim, and rightfully so. Not only is the 28-year-old likely to be highly motivated to perform against his former team, but he also deserves his place in the squad.
Sterling is viewed as an experienced player who can provide leadership to the young Chelsea squad. However, whenever things don’t go well for the team, he often becomes the target of frustration. This was evident during a 19-minute period in the recent match against Tottenham, where Chelsea struggled to break down their opponent’s high defensive line. Sterling was expected to take charge and show the way forward.
In the end, it was Sterling who played a crucial role in the team’s second goal, linking up with Reece James and Cole Palmer. His contributions as a silent leader often go unnoticed, partly due to the disappointing transfer window Chelsea had last year and the subsequent season.
Sterling has scored over 100 league goals and still has many years ahead of him in his career. There was an immediate expectation that he would replicate his goal-scoring form from his time at Manchester City, even though Chelsea is currently not at the same level of competence and structure. Despite being the team’s second-highest scorer this season (behind Nicolas Jackson), Sterling is often told he needs to do more rather than being congratulated for his contributions.
This criticism comes with the territory of being a respected member of the squad, whether it is fair or not. However, it is unlikely to change manager Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to start Sterling. Nevertheless, one could argue that he might be better off coming off the bench.
Pochettino is known for his spirituality, and there is a positive omen in favor of starting Mykhailo Mudryk. Last weekend’s matches were filled with drama, with late defeats, red cards, and unexpected results. The opening goalscorer of the 3 pm games, Vitaliy Mykolenko, scored an unlikely goal for Ukraine at Selhurst Park. This set the tone for other Ukrainian players who scored and won their matches, including Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Considering this trend, it would be fitting to give Mudryk an opportunity to contribute to the impressive performances of Ukrainian players. Mudryk has shown promise before his injury against Fulham in October. While he struggled against Tottenham, he displayed his attacking threat and defensive growth in the match against Arsenal. His ability to counter-attack and potentially stop players like Bukayo Saka makes him a valuable asset against Manchester City.
On the other hand, there are valid reasons for Sterling to retain his place in the starting lineup. He was once again left out of the England squad under Gareth Southgate, which adds to his motivation to prove himself. Sterling is a player who is often overlooked and undervalued for his contributions to both club and country. However, he tends to perform at his best when faced with doubt. This season, he seems determined to secure a spot in the Euro 2024 squad, and his performances on the field reflect that ambition.
Considering all these factors, it would require a significant change from Pochettino to make a bold decision like dropping Sterling. Fate seems to favor Ukraine this weekend, but it remains to be seen whether Pochettino will take that into account when making his selection.