RAHEEM STERLING played in an unfamiliar new position in Graham Potter’s first game.
And Chelsea fans hailed their magical new manager as his shake-up enjoyed immediate success with the first goal of his era.
Raheem Sterling scored the first goal of the Graham Potter era
Sterling, 27, started at left wing-back in the Blues’ Champions League clas at home to Red Bull Salzburg.
The Three Lions star has traditionally played as an attacking winger and even as a central striker at times under Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel.
But Potter had other ideas.
He deployed Sterling on the left of a back five with Reece James on the opposite flank and Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella central.
Despite the inexperience as a wing-back, Sterling thrived and was arguably Chelsea’s best player in the first half.
And it got even better just three minutes after the break as Sterling collected the ball from under-fire Mason Mount’s cross.
He cut inside and curled perfectly into the bottom corner to score the first goal of the Potter era – and did so under the watchful eye of England gaffer Gareth Southgate sat in the stands.
More to follow…
Sterling thrived in his new position as a left wing-back
He curled beautifully into the far corner to break the deadlock
