Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is backing Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling to be a key player for the Blues when they take on Tottenham.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side face Spurs in their next fixture on Monday evening and Merson claims that Sterling possesses the ability to cause problems if he can replicate the form from the draw against Arsenal:

“You’ve got Raheem Sterling on the wing. He was brilliant against Arsenal and if he can reach that level again, he’ll cause Spurs problems on the break.”

We have seen the good and the bad from Sterling this season. He has shone in games against Luton and the Gunners but he has also gone missing in others; especially when Chelsea are struggling to break down teams.

Tottenham could be the perfect opposition for Sterling

As Merson points out, there will be plenty of opportunities for the England international to use his pace on the counter-attack against Spurs.

Ange Postecoglou’s side like to be in control of possession and they do press quite high, which should allow Sterling to get in behind the defence.

Who are favourites to win between Chelsea an Tottenham?

In his column for Sportskeeda, Merson has backed the Blues to upset the apple cart by beating their London rivals on their own turf. However, former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton expects Spurs to come out on top.

You do get the feeling that this is a match where Pochettino’s men will have chances to score. They have struggled against teams (especially at Stamford Bridge) who defend in a low block but Tottenham take the polar opposite approach.

It should, therefore, be a very open game, allowing the away side to use some of their key attacking weapons, like Sterling. Whether it will be enough to grab the three points, though, it remains to be seen.