Chelsea must overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League round of 16 second leg on Tuesday night to progress into the quarter-finals
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has hinted that Raheem Sterling could start against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night. The England international missed the first-leg defeat against the Bundesliga outfit after struggling with a knee problem before returning to action in the loss to Southampton.
Potter fielded an attack consisting of Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz in the first leg. The Blues struggled to convert their chances with Karim Adeyemi punishing the west Londoners' poor finishing with a brilliant goal on the counter attack.
The Chelsea boss has now hinted that Sterling could start the game after revealing that his substitution against Leeds was to keep him fresh for Tuesday night's huge Champions League clash. Speaking ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge, Potter said: "You can see his quality that he [Sterling] brings and if he’s enjoying his football he’s a really important player for us and the last two home games, you could see that.
"You can see what he brings. He attacks the backline well, he’s still building up because the hamstring problem he had, he’s getting stronger and stronger with every minute so that was the thinking behind bringing him off to make sure he’s ready for Tuesday and I felt he contributed especially in the first half really well.
"I think his goal-scoring record in the Champions League speaks for itself. He’s an experienced, proven campaigner in that competition.
"We’re delighted with that and we’re looking forward to him on the pitch on Tuesday, and hopefully enjoying his football and, and contributing to us winning and going through."
Sterling has already registered three goal contributions in six Champions League appearances for the Blues, with a total of 26 goals and 24 assists in 92 appearances in Europe's elite club competition. Chelsea will hope the £45million summer signing can help fire them through into the quarter-finals as Potter remains under pressure to turn results around and salvage the Blues' season.