Potter deployed Leandro Trossard in a similar role at Brighton, with the Belgium international then able to press on when the team changes formation and Marc Cucurella coming wider to form a back-four – and he can repeat that very trick at Chelsea. Sterling certainly showed he could be a valuable asset in the position, and his side will be relying on him in the other group stage games.
Chelsea are currently bottom of Group E with one point, following their 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb previously. Asked about that by Potter, he explained: “We can’t lie, it’s not the position we want to be in, but we have to respond. It’s as simple as that. It’s going to be a tough group, I think, but there is enough quality in the team and squad that we can respond, and we have to look forward to those two games (vs AC Milan).”