Raheem Sterling explains why Mauricio Pochettino is right manager for Chelsea
Raheem Sterling has backed new manager Mauricio Pochettino to help Chelsea challenge for trophies 'very soon'.
Pochettino was officially confirmed as the Blues' new boss on Monday, signing a two-year deal with the club retaining an option for a further year.
The ex-PSG and Tottenham Hotspur manager takes charge at Stamford Bridge following a disastrous season in which the club finished in 12th place in the Premier League. Despite coming into the club following such a poor campaign, Sterling has backed Poch to turn things around at Chelsea quickly.
"From his time before at Tottenham, I heard a conversation about him and he’s the exact person that we need," he told Arab News.
"He will bring leadership, he will challenge players physically and mentally and I think he is going to come here and he is going to have the personality that everyone is going to respect. That’s what we need, someone in charge."
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Sterling also hinted that previous managers - Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard - failed to utilise Chelsea's talented squad effectively: "We have a good squad, the quality is there. We will add some players and some will leave, I get it, but there’s no doubt in my mind we will be challenging again very soon.
"From the start of this season we have not had our best XI out. The majority of it, we have had 11, 12 players out injured so it was an unfair start. But then again, these are the challenges that happen at the top football clubs and it will get us the consistency we need.
"It’s been hard work, it’s been a tough season, but I always believe after tough times there will be good times if you keep working hard. No matter how this season has gone, good, bad or indifferent, I’ve tried to keep the same focus, the same work-rate and believe you will see the shadow pass."
Sterling's excitement follows that of fellow winger Noni Madueke who, even before Pochettino had been unveiled, spoke of his eagerness to get to work under the new boss.
"I think he is a good manager," Madueke told Sky Sports. “He has been in big places around the world and he was a great success in the Premier League. I am looking forward to working with and learning from him.
“I think next season we need to go back to basics. The new manager needs to come in and everyone needs to get behind him in training for him and Chelsea to be successful and there’s no reason why we can’t be with the talent in his squad."
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