Thomas Tuchel hails Raheem Sterling’s ‘crucial’ contribution against Leicester

Thomas Tuchel has backed Raheem Sterling to score plenty more goals after his double helped seal 10-man Chelsea a 2-1 win against Leicester.

Sterling scored his first goals for Chelsea following his £50million switch from Manchester City in July and Blues boss Tuchel was delighted to see the England forward “step up” after Conor Gallagher’s dismissal.

Tuchel said of Sterling’s contribution: “It was needed. We need him to score, it’s what he does and he will score.

“I could feel he wasn’t happy, he wants to score more and have more chances. So we played in a more aggressive shape in the first half for 25 minutes and then we are a man down, so we needed him to step up.

“He did, and he did what he always does. He will score, I’m convinced, and he will create chances.

“The goals were crucial today because they gave us belief and the boost that it was possible. They were responsible for the win.”

Tuchel, who refused to comment on reports Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Leicester defender Wesley Fofana, was unimpressed with his side’s third red card in three games.

The German was serving his touchline ban for his red card in the draw against Tottenham, while Gallagher received his second yellow card – both for fouls on Harvey Barnes – in the 28th minute. Chelsea also had Kalidou Koulibaly sent off against Leeds.

Tuchel added: “Don’t include mine, it was after the final whistle, and the other ones, to be precise, were two yellows, yellow-red.

“Two of them totally were unnecessary and that is part of the analysing of the situation.

“Twice it is absolutely not necessary and to give such a huge disadvantage we have to stop doing this.

“We cannot behave like this if we are on yellow cards. We have to learn very, very fast. This