‘Start him and win the game’ – Paul Merson urges Pochettino to start £50m Chelsea star against Arsenal
Raheem Sterling should start for Chelsea on the right wing this weekend against Arsenal.
That is according to Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.
Chelsea return after the international break with a London derby against Arsenal on Saturday evening, with three Premier League points up for grabs.
The Blues sit 11th in the league table and start as underdogs at Stamford Bridge versus Arsenal. However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side recorded a three-game winning streak across all competitions before the break, so the signs are there that this young group is gelling together.
All eyes will be on Chelsea head coach Pochettino to see his starting line-up on Saturday.
Paul Merson definitely wants to see Raheem Sterling, 28, start the game against Arsenal.
It’s interesting that he thinks Chelsea’s attacker can enjoy real success from the right flank by exploiting the space left behind by Arsenal’s inverted full-back.
“Raheem Sterling should start on the right and look to hug the touchline and capitalise should Oleksandr Zinchenko invert into midfield and leave his left-back spot,” Merson told Sky Sports.
Sterling put in a season-best display earlier this month by scoring and assisting in the 4-1 league win over Burnley, which he did start from the left wing.
The English speedster has proven over many years he’s effective from either flank, so a lot may depend on who else Pochettino wants to squeeze into the forward positions.
Sterling is a senior figure in this Chelsea group and we’re hoping he emerges as a talisman in the months ahead.
The £50million winger (Daily Mail) definitely has the form and quality to pose Arsenal serious problems.
Speaking via the ‘Match of the Day Top 10’ podcast this month, Micah Richards labelled Sterling as “so underrated”. He could remind everyone of how good he can be in a big game this weekend.