Raheem Sterling seems revitalized under Pochettino

Widad October 28, 2023 0

Photo: Raheem Sterling. Credit: Talk Chelsea

Raheem Sterling, who cost £47.5 million to sign after leaving Manchester City now seems revitalized and at the top of his game under Pochettino.

“We are happy with the way [Raheem] is working,” Pochettino said. “He’s doing well. He’s starting to feel himself, and he’s confident in his qualities and talent. It’s not only him, other players we’re starting to see the evolution and individual improvement and now, we’re in the process, where the player improves individually, and then it’s how they can add the quality to the team and how they can perform collectively, and that is when we start to see how we want to perform.”

Reece James and Thiago Silva are two of The Blues' few remaining defensive linebackers after a quick turnover in the starting lineup.

James, who is currently captain of the team he grew up in, has battled injuries this season. On game day one, he hobbled out against Liverpool after 70 minutes. However, last weekend, he rejoined the team as a substitute against Arsenal.

“[Reece] is the captain for us and an amazing player,” Pochettino remarked. “He could only play 70 minutes against Liverpool before he got injured, and now, little by little, he’s moving forward. He’s still not able to play from the beginning, but he’s starting to be involved, and he’s going to be very important.

“All this situation was affecting the evolution of the team and sometimes the results. That is why when we have all the players fit, the competition is going to increase between them and we’re going to perform much, much better.”

Pochettino only wants the 39-year-old Brazilian center defender Thiago Silva to relish his final years of a distinguished career.

“He’s amazing,” Pochettino said. “It’s difficult to talk about him with his performances and the way he looks after himself. He’s professional, and that is why he is 39 still competing in the Premier League.

“Sometimes we talk about being able to train every day or being in the physical condition [to compete], and when you are 19 or 20, you want to run, but for him, it’s about looking after himself. I want him to enjoy playing, because when he stops, he will see how different life is.”

Pochettino thinks his team can build on their recent success going into their matchup with Brentford, which is live on TNT Sports, but they also need to be mindful of the dangers The Bees pose, eurosport wrote.

“The most important thing in that moment is about us; improving ourselves, and with the confidence of the last few games, it’s important for us to trust in ourselves, but of course, we have to pay attention to the opponent. Brentford are doing really well.

“It’s true that you sometimes have to change the structure when you play [a certain opponent], depending on which type of game you’re going to face. We expect that [they] will play either 4-3-3 or 5-3-2. It’s two different shapes they can use, and that’s why we’ve paid attention and prepared things for tomorrow, but I think they’re doing fantastically; very good players, very good coach. They are doing a fantastic job.”