#7 | Raheem Sterling - 2020/21 Performances

[paulsimpson]

Fair comment,especially about fans on an internet board.....the very place for fickleness,frustration and hyperbole! Hopefully keeps it away from the stadium!

The difference with Kev and Foden is their overall impact,they are far more fluid in the team ethic and contribute much better to possession and recovery.Essentailly we would badly miss their involvement,we would be a worse side without them,and the same cannot be said for Sterling.

I think he plays Saturday. Either from the start or after 60 mins . Can get into their box and cause problems and that's what Pep will want.

 

[city warrior]

Lol.

Even the worst Sterling critics on here don't say this.

Also Robben was a RW.

Yeah, my mistake (Robben is one of my favorite players, so I know which position he played/plays). I still remember him at WC 2014, he was unstoppable, and the best individual performance on knock-out stages in a long time IMO. But my point applies to both Robben and Ribery. The quality of a player is much more than the number of goals and assists a player produces.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I think he plays Saturday. Either from the start or after 60 mins . Can get into their box and cause problems and that's what Pep will want.

Can't see him starting if everyone is fit.We have an 11 that almost picks itself now,players who have more of an understanding with each other and are on a similar technical level.
Raheem near his best is definitely a very useful option if things aren't going our way though.

 

[Keeper!]

Just have a feeling he will be the match winner on Saturday.

He has had a poor season by his high standards, Saturday could be his moment to put it all right.

 

[Rascal]

Simple question. Has Sterling had a good season? It seems his defensors put so much importance on goals and assists(which obviously are super important.

Lampard has 3 times more goals than Xavi, Iniesta or Zidane.
Robben has never had 2 seasons with as many goals and assists as Sterling's 17-19, but I and pretty much everyone would choose Robben as a player (not an insult, Robben is maybe the bestRW of the decade).

Teams double up on Raheem? He's by far worse at dribbling than Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, KDB, Jesus.

Then you try to explain all the wonderful things that Sterling does(some of them I agree, but not to the extent you seem to do), if that's true, why is he not playing with Pep? Why if he produces just as much as Foden and Mahrez and more than Bernardo, he's not a starter? Because Sterling clearly can play RW and even as a false 9(probably it's a more natural position for him than Bernardo).

Not once have I said he has had a good season, i have said time after time he has had a season nowhere near as bad as some on here make out because the stats say he hasn't. Now you can argue about stats all day long if you want, but stats count, stats like most points won mean you win the league.

At the moment he has been surpassed as a starter by a once in a generation talent, that happens in football, but to dismiss him because Foden has over taken him is ridiculous, it means he has to improve, that is how the team improves because you have competition for places and players push each other for starting shirts.

I have seen posters say sell Raheem, OK we sell him, then who pushes Foden, does he have a guaranteed start, because a start should never ever be guaranteed, it breeds complacency.

We have a similar situation at the back, Dias has come in, Laporte has missed out. Has Laporte suddenly become shit, no has he fuck, he has to work hard and push Stones and Dias to be better because he is good enough to start.

Football is no longer about 11 players, it is about a squad of 25 and everyone has played I think over 30 times this season (barring injuries) and that means every player has to push hard to start because if one slacks then the whole point of having a squad breaks down.

 

[mosssideblue]

Just have a feeling he will be the match winner on Saturday.

He has had a poor season by his high standards, Saturday could be his moment to put it all right.

Doubt he will start and if we're chasing the game, Kun should be the first to get on

 

[mosssideblue]

Not once have I said he has had a good season, i have said time after time he has had a season nowhere near as bad as some on here make out because the stats say he hasn't. Now you can argue about stats all day long if you want, but stats count, stats like most points won mean you win the league.

At the moment he has been surpassed as a starter by a once in a generation talent, that happens in football, but to dismiss him because Foden has over taken him is ridiculous, it means he has to improve, that is how the team improves because you have competition for places and players push each other for starting shirts.

I have seen posters say sell Raheem, OK we sell him, then who pushes Foden, does he have a guaranteed start, because a start should never ever be guaranteed, it breeds complacency.

We have a similar situation at the back, Dias has come in, Laporte has missed out. Has Laporte suddenly become shit, no has he fuck, he has to work hard and push Stones and Dias to be better because he is good enough to start.

Football is no longer about 11 players, it is about a squad of 25 and everyone has played I think over 30 times this season (barring injuries) and that means every player has to push hard to start because if one slacks then the whole point of having a squad breaks down.

What this season has shown is how technically weak Sterling is compared to others and Pep was forced to drop him after quite a few consecutive poor games. He may have wanted to drop him sooner, we will never know.

Sterling can improve on his stats for sure, but I'm not convinced at his age he can improve further his technical skills, and that I believe is where he will struggle to become one of the first names on the sheet again. I also think Sterling knows this too.

Technically, Grealish is ahead of Sterling imo, and whilst he cannot boast the same stats for Goals and Assists that Sterling has done over a period of seasons, there is an argument to suggest given an opportunity similar to what Sterling has been afforded, he could equal or better them and this may be the reason the club seem to have a strong interest in his services.

Sterling is at a crossroads I feel and needs to decide does he want to stay and know he may struggle for meaningful gametime, or seek pastures new in order for such opportunities.

As always, only time will tell

 

[Keeper!]

Doubt he will start and if we're chasing the game, Kun should be the first to get on

don't think he will start but he could come on and be the match winner

 

[mosssideblue]

don't think he will start but he could come on and be the match winner

He could, but so could any sub:)

 

[Keeper!]

He could, but so could any sub:)

Obviously, but Sterling is a player capable of producing an individual piece of brilliance the sort that may be needed to win on Saturday.

 

[mosssideblue]

Obviously, but Sterling is a player capable of producing an individual piece of brilliance the sort that may be needed to win on Saturday.

He is and if he gets the opportunity, let's hope he does it. I still feel though that based on recent performances, if we need to bring on a player to nab us a winner, Kun will trump Sterling in Pep's mind

 

[Rammy Blue]

Obviously, but Sterling is a player capable of producing an individual piece of brilliance the sort that may be needed to win on Saturday.

He’s also capable of coming on and costing us the game with a fluffed opportunity.

Remember Lyon...

 

[Keeper!]

He’s also capable of coming on and costing us the game with a fluffed opportunity.

Remember Lyon...

Very true, just think he is due a big moment and there is a possibility it could be his last in blue.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Not once have I said he has had a good season, i have said time after time he has had a season nowhere near as bad as some on here make out because the stats say he hasn't. Now you can argue about stats all day long if you want, but stats count, stats like most points won mean you win the league.

At the moment he has been surpassed as a starter by a once in a generation talent, that happens in football, but to dismiss him because Foden has over taken him is ridiculous, it means he has to improve, that is how the team improves because you have competition for places and players push each other for starting shirts.

I have seen posters say sell Raheem, OK we sell him, then who pushes Foden, does he have a guaranteed start, because a start should never ever be guaranteed, it breeds complacency.

We have a similar situation at the back, Dias has come in, Laporte has missed out. Has Laporte suddenly become shit, no has he fuck, he has to work hard and push Stones and Dias to be better because he is good enough to start.

Football is no longer about 11 players, it is about a squad of 25 and everyone has played I think over 30 times this season (barring injuries) and that means every player has to push hard to start because if one slacks then the whole point of having a squad breaks down.

Foden playing great should have no impact on the form of Sterling,and no one is dismissing him because of such.The simple fact that you and others are refusing to accept is that Sterling isn't playing to the level that is required,or expected,on anything close to a consistent basis,and its been that way for a period that can now be described as chronic.
There are other players in our league that could have come in and contributed more IMO,players that have a better first touch,better ball control and make better decisions with it at their feet.All that has fuck all to do with Foden.

In regards Laporte......thats another baffler.....their is no comparison,despite his place being pinched.Whenever he is called upon he comes in and does the job to a level needed.He could never be described as shit,because his form hasn't fell off a cliff.

People are suggesting we sell him because he is currently still a player that can bring in a great transfer fee,and given the way we play football now....that money can go towards a player that will suit us much better and contribute more.Sterling finding a new club may even be the spark that helps him rediscover what has deserted him.

Progression is what keeps us Champions.

 

[Rammy Blue]

Very true, just think he is due a big moment and there is a possibility it could be his last in blue.

As said in previous posts, I reckon Gabby and Serg, possibly even Torres will be in line to get on the pitch before Raz.

If we are chasing the game Pep will want players who are better finishers coming on, I don’t think Pep will have forgotten Lyon.

 

[OB1]

Can't see him starting if everyone is fit.We have an 11 that almost picks itself now,players who have more of an understanding with each other and are on a similar technical level.
Raheem near his best is definitely a very useful option if things aren't going our way though.

I think he will start.

 

[OB1]

Foden playing great should have no impact on the form of Sterling,and no one is dismissing him because of such.The simple fact that you and others are refusing to accept is that Sterling isn't playing to the level that is required,or expected,on anything close to a consistent basis,and its been that way for a period that can now be described as chronic.
There are other players in our league that could have come in and contributed more IMO,players that have a better first touch,better ball control and make better decisions with it at their feet.All that has fuck all to do with Foden.

In regards Laporte......thats another baffler.....their is no comparison,despite his place being pinched.Whenever he is called upon he comes in and does the job to a level needed.He could never be described as shit,because his form hasn't fell off a cliff.

People are suggesting we sell him because he is currently still a player that can bring in a great transfer fee,and given the way we play football now....that money can go towards a player that will suit us much better and contribute more.Sterling finding a new club may even be the spark that helps him rediscover what has deserted him.

Progression is what keeps us Champions.

Sterling has had a crisis of confidence and Foden is part of the reason.

 

[mosssideblue]

I think he will start.

Based on what? Gen question

 

[mosssideblue]

Sterling has had a crisis of confidence and Foden is part of the reason.

Another gen q. Why is Foden part of the reason for Sterling's drop in form?

 

[wolviedinho]

Sterling seems to have a few problems.

Foden’s emergence into the first team.
Mahrez Form.
David Silva leaving- the combination was fantastic. Played to his strengths.
Pep has changed how we play- detrimental.
Of field issues? Maybe

He is still a fantastic player but if the elements within the team are non existent then we are trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Sterling has expressed his desire to be a number 10/9 but he does not have the attributes to succeed. Finishing poor, first touch poor, ball control poor. Passing in tight area’s poor.

We need to change the style of play to get the best from him imo. Next season it may happen. You can’t fault his work ethic. He is trying to force the issue and is making mistakes.

I would only sell him if we intend on keeping the same formation/tactics as it exposes his weaknesses and leaves us with an unhappy player on high wages.