News

‘Explosive’ Chelsea player has already told Mauricio Pochettino one thing to change from last season

Add as preferred source on Google

Reports have claimed that Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has already been vocal with Mauricio Pochettino about what he has needed to change about him this season.

According to The Times, the England international has voiced his frustrations at being forced to play as many as seven different positions for the club last season.

It is fair to say that last season did not go to plan for Sterling, as he looked to prove his individual talents were far greater than he was given credit for at Manchester City.

Chelsea FC v Luton Town - Premier League
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

His struggles were only mirrored by the rest of the team though, as they languished to a 12th placed finish.

This season however, he is already showing the promise that came with his addition 12 months ago.

After two strong performances to start the campaign, he topped it all with a brilliant brace against Luton on Friday.

Sterling conversation with Pochettino

This display in general saw him come in for praise from Owen Hargreaves, who described him as ‘explosive’.

One clear reason why Sterling has been performing at a higher level is to do with the position he has been playing.

Under Pochettino, he has been allowed to drive at defenders and cause real problems for defences.

Chelsea FC v Luton Town - Premier League
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

Now, it has emerged that this may be the result of a conversation he has had with the manager already, where he raised his concerns at last season’s tactics that forced him to play in seven different roles.

He ended the season as a striker in a front two with Joao Felix, however featured anywhere all the way back to a wing-back throughout the campaign.

It will be imperative for Pochettino to maintain his good form by allowing him to do what he does best out wide.