- Sterling missed a penalty and had another shocking miss during the first-half
- The winger made up for his misses by setting up Cole Palmer’s second goal
- CLICK HERE for live updates from Chelsea’s FA Cup clash against Leicester
Pundits and football fans have slammed Raheem Sterling after his shocking penalty miss in Chelsea’s FA Cup clash with Leicester.
Sterling decided to take the penalty which he won after a clumsy foul from Abdul Fatawu, which could have given the Blues a comfortable early 2-0 lead.
However, the experienced winger connected poorly with the ball and it went straight down the middle giving an easy for Leicester keeper Jakub Stolarczyk.
Martin Keown on commentary said: It certainly is (a shocker) One of the players that you look to in this new generation of Chelsea players to be assured and he hits it straight down the middle.
‘There’s no quality in that at all. No real purpose, no power, comfortable for the keeper.’
Raheem Sterling has been slammed after his poor penalty miss against Leicester
His penalty was straight down the middle at the Leicester goalkeeper, squandering a chance to make it 2-0
He later fired wide when through one-on-one against the Leicester goalkeeper
During BBC’s half-time analysis, Gary Lineker said it was ‘strange’ that Raheem Sterling took the ball off Cole Palmer, when he has scored five in his last seven, compared to Palmer’s five in five.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dion Dublin both agreed that Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher should have had a word with Sterling.
Hasselbaink said: ‘Gallagher as a captain you should go to Sterling and say no he’s the penalty taker. He’s taken five in a row, he’s scored all five. He needs to take it. It’s 1-0, lets secure this match.’
Dublin added: ‘We speak about leaders and those taking charge on the pitch. The captain has to go ‘right Palmer that’s it you’re taking it, sorry Raheem I will speak to you at half-time. That’s what’s happening, no questions’ – deal with the arguments later.’
Fans also criticised Sterling for taking the penalty off Cole Palmer who has regularly taken them this season.
One fan said: ‘Takes the pen over Palmer and misses. I have no words for Sterling anymore. Just leave.’
Tom Overend commented: ‘Raheem Sterling taking that penalty off Palmer is very poor.
‘Palmer is our taker, and to undermine that as a senior player does not exhibit leadership. Very disappointing.’
Sterling had a disappointing first-half but did get himself an assist just before the break
Daniel Childs also wrote: ‘As you were. Pathetic from Sterling all around.’
Sterling had another glorious chance just before half-time when he was put through one-on-one.
He decided to try and chip the goalkeeper but his effort was well wide of the post.
Keown said: ‘Well, that central area burst of pace times his run perfectly and it’s this moment, what will he do? He puts it awfully wide. Goodness me if you see that from another angle you will see how far away that was it wasn’t even close.’
At half-time, Dublin said: ‘For years and years Raheem has been in these situations and he’s not very good at them.
‘When you get into those situations you’ve got to know what’s happening. Gary you’ve done it for years and years. On the shoulders of defenders you know what finish you will use before you get into that position. He’s thinking ‘what am I going to do’ and he gets it wrong. He gets in some great positions though.’
Hasselbaink added: ‘He’s not good at finishing when he has time and he has to think. He’s very good at finishing when it’s instinctive and quick and puts them away. He’s brilliant. When he has time a lot of things go through your head and he picks the wrong execution and that’s what he did there.’
Sterling to his credit did set up Chelsea’s second goal just moments later when his cross was put away by Palmer.
