Peter Crouch and Joe Cole were left impressed by new Chelsea boss Graham Potter
BT Sports pundits Peter Crouch and Joe Cole were left impressed by new Chelsea boss Graham Potter and his tactics. The new manager took charge of his first game for the Blues against RB Salzburg last night.
Chelsea could only manage to play out a draw, but it was the goal-scorer Raheem Sterling who gained everyone’s attention. The former Manchester City winger was deployed as a left wing-back with Marc Cucurella playing as left centre-back.
Crouch and Cole were left impressed by Sterling’s performance in his new position. While speaking to BT Sport (h/t Express), both had nothing but praises for the 27-year-old.
He [Sterling] has been outstanding. He is playing that Trossard role, what he did for Brighton, where he is playing high and wide. He is reversing out, stretching the pitch and making it big. He is in acres of space.
Sterling gave his side the lead after the winger beautifully curled the ball into the bottom right corner of the net from a low Mason Mount cross. Mount also gave in a superb performance with the midfielder performing his duty both in the attack and defence.
The Blues thought they would walk out with all three points, but the Austrian visitors had another idea. An error by Thiago Silva at the back allowed the ball to cut into the box and Noah Okafor was there to finish the move. Substitute Armando Broja had the chance to win the game, but his volley went over the bar.
Crouch was impressed by the link-up that Sterling and Cucurella had on the left side of the pitch. Both the players were excellent in their roles and the pundit knows that.
He looked like an old-school winger at times. Getting one-on-one, taking little touches and getting crosses in, coming inside and getting shots off. I think it could really suit him and I think he has also got a good relationship with Cucurella down that side.
Potter would be a bit disappointed by the result. His side enjoyed most of the possession and even attacked more. But missed chances cost his side the full three points and the west London club currently sits bottom in their group.
More Chelsea News:
- Graham Potter to hold one-on-one meetings with Chelsea players
- Graham Potter wants to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane
- Gary Neville calls for an end to US investment in English football following suggestions by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly
Fans will hope for a win next time out. With this weekend’s game postponed due to Queen Elizabeth’s II death, the Blues will now play their next game after the international break on October 1. They will travel to face local rivals Crystal Palace, and Potter will hope for his first win there.