Paul Merson speaks on Raheem Sterling. On February 18, Chelsea suffered a discouraging home loss to Southampton. But, pundit Paul Merson saw a bright spot in the form of Raheem Sterling‘s comeback. He expressed his respect for the winger’s play, praising his vigor and resolve in a difficult game.
Former Arsenal player: “Sterling came on, different game,” according to Sky Sports News. “Sterling was prepared to take the other path and make runs. He missed both of his two solid chances from the line.”
Sterling was able to have an effect after entering the game for the Blues at halftime despite suffering from injury setbacks this season. The attacker gave their forward line some much-needed energy, which led to a few chances for a score tie.
Regrettably, Chelsea’s failure to capitalize on their opportunities highlighted their recent struggles to score goals. Chelsea’s loss against Southampton was yet another disappointing outcome for a season marred by inconsistent play and underwhelming form. James Ward-signature Prowse’s free-kick broke the tie just before halftime, deciding the outcome of the game.
The Blues’ problems were only made worse by Captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s head injury, as he needed to be carried out during the second half. After their loss, the Blues are in a perilous situation, with each new outcome making it less likely that they will finish in the top four in Europe. Graham Potter’s team has earned just three points in their last four league games, keeping them in tenth place in the Premier League standings.
Things can only get worse for the team after their midweek loss to Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League’s round of 16. Chelsea will be under increasing pressure as they get ready to play Tottenham Hotspur in a highly anticipated match on Sunday (February 26).
Despite the potential of this match, the Blues have recently struggled and it seems as though their future is in jeopardy. Their chances of having any kind of a successful season are already dwindling, which makes the rest of the campaign unclear. Due to the team’s dismal performance, the Blues boss has had to endure whistles and chants of criticism in recent weeks.
In a statement to the media, Potter admitted that he could relate to the upset fans and that he understood their frustration: “Following a 1-0 loss at home, any criticism you get is understandable. We are integrating young players into the Premier League after a difficult period. It’s difficult when outcomes don’t go your way. I’m not conceited enough to claim that their viewpoint isn’t worth expressing. In their previous five games across all competitions, the Blues are winless.
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