Raheem Sterling’s performances have come under the microscope in the media since his summer move to Chelsea from Manchester City, especially recently after a run without a goal in the Premier League since August, although he is the Blues’ top scorer, having netted five times this season in all competitions.

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Sterling has admitted himself that some of his performances during the current campaign have fallen short of his own high expectations, but Graham Potter has frequently spoken about his trust in the player’s quality.

Doing so again, our head coach made it clear that the level of scrutiny Sterling is under is just an inescapable part of being a footballer at the highest level, and he is not concerned about it having a negative impact on our No.17.

‘It’s part of being a top player,’ explained Potter. ‘It’s part of being where we are, in terms of there’s always something to prove, especially if things don’t go as well as you’d like in terms of performances and results.

‘You know you’re open to scrutiny and criticism. If you don’t accept that or can’t deal with that then you probably shouldn’t be here.’

It appears England manager Gareth Southgate shares that faith in what Sterling can do, after naming him in his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. It has been suggested the tournament presents a good chance for the winger to answer his critics on the pitch, and Potter seems in no doubt Sterling has the talent and the fortitude to do just that.

‘Raheem is a big boy so he understands that and things can change very quickly. So he’s had enough of a career so far to deal with that. It’s a new opportunity, a new situation, and I’m sure he’ll do really well.’

Sterling is one of three Chelsea players in England’s World Cup squad, alongside Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher. The latter is by far the least experienced of the trio, with four international caps to his name since making his senior debut for the Three Lions a year ago.

There are parallels to Sterling’s own international career, as he was called up for the 2014 World Cup at the age of 19, earning his fourth cap in a pre-tournament friendly, before featuring in all three of England’s group games in Brazil, two of them from the start.

On whether having a team-mate from club football with those experiences alongside him may help Gallagher, our head coach agrees with that sentiment. He also points to the midfielder’s own experiences of success with England in tournaments at youth level as something which will serve him well in Qatar.

‘Conor has had tournaments with England already and he’s had success, so that’s also a positive for him.

‘He was part of the World Cup-winning team with the Under-17s, so that’s a great experience, but the more people around him that have got good experience the better, definitely.’