William Gallas has urged Graham Potter to play Raheem Sterling as a winger after mixed reviews of the experimentation with the Chelsea star’s position.
On Sunday, the Blues take on Arsenal - a club that Sterling has scored eight times against in 17 league meetings, 11 of which have ended as victories.
Potter boss has played the 27-year-old at wing-back and as a central striker in recent weeks, particularly after Reece James’ injury.
While Sterling scored in midweek against Dinamo Zagreb, ex-Chelsea player Gallas believes a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 formation is the only long-term fit that will keep him in the goals.
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“If Graham Potter wants to get the best from Raheem Sterling, he has to play on the right or left of a three, that’s how Sterling was being used at a high level before at Liverpool and Manchester City,” he is quoted by Metro as saying.
“He’s always played there. So for me it is difficult to understand why, sometimes, a manager wants to play players out of position.
“After the Zagreb win, I think Potter has to play Sterling in a front three and not how he used him in the last match when he was playing wing-back.
“It was very difficult for Sterling to play there. Play him in his position and let him do what he needs to do.”