#7 | Raheem Sterling - 2020/21 Performances

[ChicagoBlue]

I don't think he has a bad touch

It’s not often I’m left completely dumbfounded, but he even proved it against Reese James in the final when he got onto the ball over the top!!

 

[leo_city]

I do wonder why his form has regressed so fast.

 

[leo_city]

First touch like a trampoline. What has happened to him.

He was never a player with a good first touch. What helped him however was the support he had with him in one of KDB/David occupying spaces then picking him out as the runner. That's when he excelled. This is now a combination of lack of that and bad form in general.

 

[mosssideblue]

I do wonder why his form has regressed so fast.

I suspect he is now facing a different exam paper

 

[shevtheblue]

The ball positively bounces off him mate. And personally, I don't think you can teach decision-making as such. OK you can train someone about where to run to in order to get tap-ins (as clearly Pep managed to do with him last season) but the instant decision-making, "do I shoot or do I square it" type split second decisions? He's fucking useless at that and I can't see how you can coach that. You either "see" the game in an instant and make the right decisions, or you don't. IMO.

I understand what you're saying but it's easy to remember all the shit when the going is tough, but just remember how he has terrorised the rest of the league in the last few seasons. All i'm saying is you don't become shit over night and you 100% don't get into a team managed by a possession obsessed manager like Pep, if you can't trap the ball or do the fundamentals.

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

He likes the ball played behind into space, it negates his inconsistent touch and takes advantage of his pace and movement. I do not want Sterling getting the ball to feet, tightly marked, 40 yards from goal.

I think one issue of perception is that people believe that Sterling is a "winger," and should therefore be dribbling past players and getting to the byline. He isn't really a winger. That's not his game. Honestly 20 years ago I think he'd have played up front with a target man in a 4-4-2 because his movement in behind and pace are his primary qualities

 

[mosssideblue]

He likes the ball played behind into space, it negates his inconsistent touch and takes advantage of his pace and movement. I do not want Sterling getting the ball to feet, tightly marked, 40 yards from goal.

I think one issue of perception is that people believe that Sterling is a "winger," and should therefore be dribbling past players and getting to the byline. He isn't really a winger. That's not his game. Honestly 20 years ago I think he'd have played up front with a target man in a 4-4-2 because his movement in behind and pace are his primary qualities

I disagree that he's not a winger, but your first sentence is the issue for us as rarely do we face teams offering that kind of space

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

It’s not often I’m left completely dumbfounded, but he even proved it against Reese James in the final when he got onto the ball over the top!!

Got to say that's a pretty poor example to pick. The lad has taken a heavy touch when through on goal on a few occasions this season, and blown the opportunities as a consequence, but a 70 yard exocet from Ederson coming over his shoulder,whilst he (Raz) was going full tilt?! I actually thought he brought it down reasonably well in the circumstances, and it was only the momentary (and reasonable) check in stride he had to take to do so, that enabled James to get the challenge in.

 

[SanPellegrini]

If we sign Kane, I think Raz will do brilliantly.

He’s had a tough season, in possibly the toughest year in our respective life times.

Stones had a bad year last year, and look where he is now! Raz deserves that chance and he deserves our full support. I hope he stays next season and I hope we invent another song that’s not the (slightly patronising) “top of the league” song that we used for Lescott.

People are forgetting how little we had up front this season to occupy the other teams’ defences. But stick Kane up front, and with De Bruyne and Foden behind, teams are faced with a choice that pulls their defensive lines apart.

Also think the ball hogger Grealish would be a good shout and could work a bit like the Leroy, Raz partnership of old. Imagine the spirit of a core English contingent too... would work wonders

 

[Chippy_boy]

All i'm saying is you don't become shit over night and you 100% don't get into a team managed by a possession obsessed manager like Pep, if you can't trap the ball or do the fundamentals.

It's a mystery that's for sure. I do think for a long time that because (a) Sterling was scoring goals even if he did fuck it up half the time, and (b) he worked hard and had a good attitude in training, Pep thought he could work with him to improve him... which to an extent he did. Sterling has very obviously gone backwards since so it will be interesting as to whether Pep sticks with him or decides enough is enough. Was starting him on Saturday a show of faith, or giving him a chance in the last chance saloon? We'll soon see.

 

[Paul1970]

I’m sorry but you can’t afford sentiment in football because next we are gonna have to battle like hell to defend this title and we afford to keep overlooking players who have played appallingly and keeping them . This team needs to evolve and if they are not good enough or don’t want to get on board then they should leave . Forget £40 plus million for sterling because it won’t be there and we will be lucky to get £30 mill for him. Yes he was great 2 years ago but it’s history and we move on .

 

[Bozo]

Raheem Sterling, he's top of the league!! Can't wait to see his return to form for us next season. Bad day (season) at the office, that's all. He'll be back.

 

[mosssideblue]

Raheem Sterling, he's top of the league!! Can't wait to see his return to form for us next season. Bad day (season) at the office, that's all. He'll be back.

And if he's not?

 

[blueparrot]

And if he's not?

And if he is? That’s the decision of those that work with him every day. If they think he will and give him anew contract ,that’ll do me. If they think he won’t and decide to sell him that’s fine too.
Personally think he’ll stay and get back to his best, playing with a centre forward.

 

[mosssideblue]

And if he is? That’s the decision of those that work with him every day. If they think he will and give him anew contract ,that’ll do me. If they think he won’t and decide to sell him that’s fine too.
Personally think he’ll stay and get back to his best, playing with a centre forward.

Of course it is the decision of the club, but he has been out of form for an awful long time and given a lot of opportunities to recover form but he never did.

I simply see a lot of posters are posting just a blip, he will be back next season etc, but they don't know that for sure. he might be, but equally he might not be.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Got to say that's a pretty poor example to pick. The lad has taken a heavy touch when through on goal on a few occasions this season, and blown the opportunities as a consequence, but a 70 yard exocet from Ederson coming over his shoulder,whilst he (Raz) was going full tilt?! I actually thought he brought it down reasonably well in the circumstances, and it was only the momentary (and reasonable) check in stride he had to take to do so, that enabled James to get the challenge in.

I quote it because it was a time when a good touch and the nous to put his BODY BETWEEN RJ AND THE BALL, would have either put him through or got a penalty. It was a twofer!!

 

[m7mcfc]

He has been running into opposition players for weeks. Cannot take them on, cannot pick a pass and cannot shoot at goal.
He should not have started on Saturday.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Got to say that's a pretty poor example to pick. The lad has taken a heavy touch when through on goal on a few occasions this season, and blown the opportunities as a consequence, but a 70 yard exocet from Ederson coming over his shoulder,whilst he (Raz) was going full tilt?! I actually thought he brought it down reasonably well in the circumstances, and it was only the momentary (and reasonable) check in stride he had to take to do so, that enabled James to get the challenge in.

It wasn’t an easy chance that. Half chance. Just like Foden’s which he hasn’t been criticised at all for.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

It wasn’t an easy chance that. Half chance. Just like Foden’s which he hasn’t been criticised at all for.

The one Rudiger blocked? That was just brilliant last ditch defending I think. If Dias did that I'd still be watching it on a loop now.

But yeah, failing to perfectly kill a 70+yard pass dropping over your shoulder, running at speed with a defender biting at your heels isn't something I'm really going to hold against anyone. If it bounced off him and out for a goal kick then I'd understand but I've seen Aguero and Mahrez fuck those up and their first touch is/ was amongst the best at the club.

I feel like he's getting more stick for stuff like that because people are already pissed off at some of the other things he's been getting wrong.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I’m sorry but you can’t afford sentiment in football because next we are gonna have to battle like hell to defend this title and we afford to keep overlooking players who have played appallingly and keeping them . This team needs to evolve and if they are not good enough or don’t want to get on board then they should leave . Forget £40 plus million for sterling because it won’t be there and we will be lucky to get £30 mill for him. Yes he was great 2 years ago but it’s history and we move on .

Only half a dozen teams in world football could afford to match his contract,and he wouldn't be value for money where any of them are concerned.We are stuck with him,and got to hope he suddenly has a Lazarus type resurrection.