Graham Potter has admitted deploying Raheem Sterling as a wing-back is a case of ‘risk and reward’ for Chelsea after outlining his plans and tactics for the side.
The 47-year-old opted to play Sterling as a left wing-back against FC Salzburg, with the England international being given the freedom to hang wide on the left ahead of Marc Cucurella at left centre-back.
Sterling scored the opener, and the first of the Potter era, in the 48th minute as Mason Mount’s low cross fell to him at the back post. He rolled it out of his feet and curled it into the bottom corner.
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It wasn’t enough for Chelsea to claim all three points in Group E as Salzburg found a leveller with 15 minutes to go, leaving them with a tough task to progress into the knockout stages, but there were positives to take.
With Sterling in a more advanced role and him not being fully defensively-tuned, Potter knows it is a case of risk and reward, but has plans to protect the winger to ensure Chelsea aren’t vulnerable.
He told reporters: "Well, there is that possibility (risk and reward playing Sterling at wing-back), but you have to organise around that as you don't want Raheem really defending in his box too often, and I don't think he did.
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“I think Marc Cucurella managed the situation quite well. I can't remember too many opportunities they had down that side.
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"Whatever you do, there's always a plus and a minus, but we were at home, and we wanted to be on the front foot and get some attacking ideas in those positions. Raheem is really good at attacking a backline and scored a fantastic goal. I thought he was really good in the game.
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"Reece balances it off a little bit, and we can still defend in a four if we need to, so that was the thinking."
Potter was pressed on his tactics and system in his opening game in charge, continuing: "It was a back three as far as I was concerned with Reece and Raheem giving us the width. Salzburg are very strong in the middle with their 4-3-1-2, so it's not easy to play through the middle of the pitch.
"We wanted to get some dangerous width, and Reece and Raheem were that.
"They were more full-backs in the lateral positions and then midfield players. I thought we got Raheem into some good situations and Reece as well down that side. Mason, too and we scored a good goal.
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"Then they defended well, blocked, and their goalkeeper made some good saves.
"We can improve as well, but like I said, how the boys approached the game, I am really, really happy."
Topics: Chelsea, Graham Potter, Champions League, Raheem Sterling, Football
Matthew Debono