Raheem Sterling should start in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Saturday evening if he is fit enough. Hear me out.
Sterling is hardly the most popular of players amongst Chelsea supporters right now – and while the consistent abuse he gets is abysmal, I can understand some the criticism directed at him. After signing for around £50million in the summer of 2022, there were big things expected from the England international, who has since falling out of Gareth Southgate's plans with the national team.
The 29-year-old has played almost 3000 minutes in all competitions this season for the Blues. Only seven players in the Chelsea squad have registered more minutes on the pitch since the beginning of the campaign. However, things certainly changed after that torrid afternoon – incidentally in the last round of the FA Cup – against Leicester City.
A penalty miss, one of the worst free-kicks – and I am not exaggerating – you will ever see and a host of missed chances saw Sterling booed off by a lot of those present inside Stamford Bridge on that day. Mauricio Pochettino, though, defended the winger.
«He has an unbelievable CV, like a player he has played in big teams, experienced player, of course, today he missed the penalty and some chances,» Pochettino said after the game. «But look, I think I am happy with him and we are going to support and I see the chances we have, I think the chances to show that we are building something because I think we are going to support him and for sure we are going to get the lead on the game that he needs to help the team.»
Since then, however, Sterling has made just two appearances – and both of them were from the bench. A combined total of 49 minutes against Burnley and
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