“You are right” – Mauricio Pochettino says fans were right to boo Raheem Sterling but need to defends Chelsea star over missed penalty
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Mauricio Pochettino passionately defended Raheem Sterling following Chelsea’s 4-2 victory in the FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City, while also acknowledging the fans’ right to express their dissatisfaction with Sterling’s performance at Stamford Bridge.
Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer provided Chelsea with a comfortable lead at halftime, but the scoreline could have been further in their favor had Sterling not missed a penalty, which was saved by Jakub Stolarczyk.
Despite criticism directed towards captain Conor Gallagher for allowing Sterling to take the penalty instead of regular taker Cole Palmer, Pochettino stood by his players’ decisions, asserting that such choices should be left to them on the pitch.
During his post-match press conference, Pochettino expressed his support for Sterling, highlighting his extensive experience and impressive career achievements. Despite Sterling’s missed opportunities, Pochettino emphasized the importance of backing the player through both highs and lows.
Sterling faced further disappointment as he squandered additional scoring chances, leading to loud and routine booing from Chelsea supporters before being substituted in the 86th minute. Pochettino, somewhat surprisingly, suggested that fans were justified in their jeers, though he maintained his unwavering defense of Sterling.
Acknowledging the fans’ expectations and desire for the best for the club, Pochettino stressed the importance of supporting Sterling despite his shortcomings. He emphasized the collective responsibility of the team to stand by each other, highlighting the need for unity and solidarity, particularly during challenging moments.
