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Chelsea boss Potter defends Sterling form ahead of Man City reunion

Chelsea boss Graham Potter recognises they must be at their best against Manchester City tomorrow.

Potter knows Chelsea face a massive challenge to stop City.

"We have to play well ourselves, that is the key," he said. "Then you have to understand the quality they have and try to stop it. It sounds simple when you condense it down but the reality isn't so straightforward.

"They are a top team but we can cause them a problem, we can be ourselves and try to play well and put them under pressure. We need to use Stamford Bridge and then see what happens.

"They are a top team but we have to think about ourselves, how we can do better, how we can take steps forward in our game. That is the approach we'll have."

Chelsea will still be without right-back Reece James and goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy for the match.

Potter said of the Senegal international: "He's been training a little bit more than he was. He's not fully fit at the moment but hopefully the next week or so he will make progress."

On Raheem Sterling facing his old club, the manager added: “It's been a challenge for him but it's been a challenging period for everybody. There's been a lot of change and a lot has happened, so in that regard, it's not easy to completely settle or hit the ground running. There is more to come from Raheem I'm sure but he gives his best every day and we need to help him get to the level we know he can reach."

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Paul Vegas

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