Raheem Sterling | Joins Chelsea for £50m

[Coatigan]

But it's Palmer AND Alvarez AND Haaland who would replace Sterling and Jesus.

We'd have six players (ok, 5.5 with Palmer) for three spots up front. We're also stronger in midfield with Phillips in for Fernandindo, so even if we have an injury crisis in the front line, we have Silva, who has played nearly 150 games as a winger.

If we have a crisis in midfield, we have Grealish and Foden who have played their as often as they've played on the wing.

Putting aside whether Palmer is ready or not, and he is not, Palmer is already here. He was here last year when Torres was here. Grealish is already here. Foden too. Saying players that leave will be replaced by players that are here is just a way of saying those players won't be replaced.

It is like saying if we sell walker, cancelo will replace him or if we sell bernardo gundogan will replace him. We'd still 2 big players down.

Alvarez by the way is a big risk in itself, coming to this level and continent for the first time, straight off the back of a tournament without a rest. I expect Pep to take it easy with him, so another attacker if Sterling leaves and Gabi effectively gone is a must for me.

 

[waspish]

Chelsea all talk at the moment they’ve signed no one

 

[Tugay One Cup]

TBF - I was not stating that there are 'issues' other than his playing capability - although I can see why me making the statement I did about Jesus might suggest I was implying that

My statement about Jesus just reflects my admiration for him.

That's fair enough and I agree Gabby will be missed for his work ethic.

 

[leo_city]

All users are telling me is that they have a bias because Jesus laughs and does not complain so they view him different, whereas Raheem does, when he does not start. Stop beating around the bush really, Sterling is a far superior player to Jesus, has scored double figures for us in every season, he misses about as many chances as the rest of our frontline, but the way our fans act on news of him leaving is absurd.

Where's this energy for Jesus? Sterling has been far more integral to our success. The only thing is, same as with Jesus, this might be the right time to part ways as both him and the club look to start a new era and onto newer things, he wants guarantees, and manager cannot give that.

When people start being intellectually dishonest and waffle about footballing capabilities like tracking back when it's simply not true it's just not a good look.

The same fans that tell us to be grateful about where we are as a club compared to where we were are the same ones turning up their noses at a player like Raheem Sterling who's done far more than a lot of players we've had in the past. Just odd, not towards anyone in particular either, but it would be better if we remembered him in good ways rather than bad, because he's earned that right.

 

[Matt the Giant]

Chelsea all talk at the moment they’ve signed no one

The thing with Roman in charge, they usually acted very quickly in the transfer market, right? Paid what the seller asked for and got their man.

I still expect the new owner to make some moves, but things are clearly changing at Stamford Bridge.

 

[waspish]

The thing with Roman in charge, they usually acted very quickly in the transfer market, right? Paid what the seller asked for and got their man.

I still expect the new owner to make some moves, but things are clearly changing at Stamford Bridge.

Agree they say they going to buy 5/6 players and spend around 200m+ but think the signings will come later i they transfer window..

 

[Tugay One Cup]

All users are telling me is that they have a bias because Jesus laughs and does not complain so they view him different, whereas Raheem does, when he does not start. Stop beating around the bush really, Sterling is a far superior player to Jesus, has scored double figures for us in every season, he misses about as many chances as the rest of our frontline, but the way our fans act on news of him leaving is absurd.

Where's this energy for Jesus? Sterling has been far more integral to our success. The only thing is, same as with Jesus, this might be the right time to part ways as both him and the club look to start a new era and onto newer things, he wants guarantees, and manager cannot give that.

When people start being intellectually dishonest and waffle about footballing capabilities like tracking back when it's simply not true it's just not a good look.

The same fans that tell us to be grateful about where we are as a club compared to where we were are the same ones turning up their noses at a player like Raheem Sterling who's done far more than a lot of players we've had in the past. Just odd, not towards anyone in particular either, but it would be better if we remembered him in good ways rather than bad, because he's earned that right.

Part of me thinks it's as much about point scoring against other supporters as it is anything else. I can't think of a single player who has given us as much as he has whilst getting zero credit or respect from so many of ours fans. Head scratching stuff.

 

[Oldham Exile]

All users are telling me is that they have a bias because Jesus laughs and does not complain so they view him different, whereas Raheem does, when he does not start. Stop beating around the bush really, Sterling is a far superior player to Jesus, has scored double figures for us in every season, he misses about as many chances as the rest of our frontline, but the way our fans act on news of him leaving is absurd.

Where's this energy for Jesus? Sterling has been far more integral to our success. The only thing is, same as with Jesus, this might be the right time to part ways as both him and the club look to start a new era and onto newer things, he wants guarantees, and manager cannot give that.

When people start being intellectually dishonest and waffle about footballing capabilities like tracking back when it's simply not true it's just not a good look.

The same fans that tell us to be grateful about where we are as a club compared to where we were are the same ones turning up their noses at a player like Raheem Sterling who's done far more than a lot of players we've had in the past. Just odd, not towards anyone in particular either, but it would be better if we remembered him in good ways rather than bad, because he's earned that right.

You have of course every right to hold your opinions - but that is what they are - your opinions based on your viewing of matches

Myself and others equally have every right to hold our opinions - also based on our viewing of matches

Where I think that you go wrong is to dismiss the views of others as "intellectually dishonest and waffle" and "simply not true"

I do not think that is a good look TBF

What I do think would be dishonest would be for me to express a different view about the player at the point he is perhaps leaving than I have held for years

But I don't want to derail the thread into pages of some tit for tat - I just think that we should all be able to express our honestly held views

 

[leo_city]

Part of me thinks it's as much about point scoring against other supporters as it is anything else. I can't think of a single player who has given us as much as he has whilst getting zero credit or respect from so many of ours fans. Head scratching stuff.

It baffles me mate, even so much as the point of being a model professional, I think he has shown over the year how well he carries himself. Years of media abuse and he kept his head down to let football do the talking, never once caused an issue off field or on field, if that right there isn't a model professional I don't know what is. Like many other good players he was obviously going to complain about gametime, to hold that against him is odd. No one's saying there haven't been frustrating moments or lows along with the highs, but to write him off as just another player in and out the door is quite disappointing. He has been pivotal in our most successful era, that alone is a testament to him as a player. It's disappointing to see a player like that getting wrote off because he's probably leaving.

 

[BlueAnorak]

I love Sterling.
Not the worlds greatest goal scorer but if he was he'd be the best player in the world.
Can miss a chance if he has time to think, but if he doesn't have time to think he more than likely scores. Overall result, pretty much bang on with the expected goal stats.
Every other aspect of his play is up there.
Hope he stays, but if he doesn't then good luck to him. He has given us a lot.

 

[leo_city]

You have of course every right to hold your opinions - but that is what they are - your opinions based on your viewing of matches

Myself and others equally have every right to hold our opinions - also based on our viewing of matches

Where I think that you go wrong is to dismiss the views of others as "intellectually dishonest and waffle" and "simply not true"

I do not think that is a good look TBF

What I do think would be dishonest would be for me to express a different view about the player at the point he is perhaps leaving than I have held for years

But I don't want to derail the thread into pages of some tit for tat - I just think that we should all be able to express our honestly held views

You are spreading misinformation by saying a player has not done something when he clearly has. Yes you have a right to your opinion and no one's going to force you to like Raheem Sterling, but to make him out as if he is anyone who's been at the club is embarrassing. Especially when you are bringing up Gabriel Jesus in comparison, that's being intellectually dishonest. This isn't point scoring, you're not a rival fan, we're all blues here, if someone from the rags was to disrespect or view our player as useless or pathetic, then I'd be point scoring by telling them how shit theirs are to begin with. But it's very disappointing to see it from our own fans, you are reducing his career down to a mere waste of time, when he is up there as one of our most important players highlighting this successful era.

I get it, he's not pleasing on the eye, he has bad moments, and you are choosing to focus on that and make it known. Fair enough. Some of us choose to view him positively because he's leaving at the right time but has done a lot of good at our club. Been a good servant. Just don't make it out like he's some scrub.

 

[christened at st marks]

If you're going to judge a fanbase by their worst individuals and incidents then were hardly going to come up smelling like roses.

It's a bit of a silly game to play.

Oh right! they don't have a name for it, or do they.

 

[BringBackSwales]

I love Sterling.
Not the worlds greatest goal scorer but if he was he'd be the best player in the world.
Misses a chance if he has time to think, but if he doesn't have time to think he more than likely scores. Overall result, pretty much bang on with the expected goal stats.
Every other aspect of his play is up there.
Hope he stays, but if he doesn't then good luck to him.

Good post. I love Raheem too but if he wants to move we can’t stand in his way. He has given us great service and possibly his roots in the club are not as deep as some, everyone is different, I also assume he wants more game time than he suspects Pep will give him. He has been utterly brilliant for us, a big part of what we have done. If he goes he will be a big loss, but an understandable one

 

[leo_city]

You'd think Wilfried Bony was leaving the club the way people speak on him.

 

[dublin-blue]

He owes us nothing. He's come here, gotten tonnes of abuse because of it and has been integral to our success. It's a shame he won't be getting a send off. The lad is one of the best players to wear the shirt.

But... He is past his peak and has been regressing for a while. Add to the mix he wants to sign to a direct rival. It's a shame to see it end like this but we'll make our money back on his fee and likely replace him with a hungrier player.
I always felt that he was never lauded as the great English poster boy because he left the dippers for us and suffered from the media abuse. Maybe he felt way this too.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Always respect your views - but we differ here

I know the stats are good - but I trust my eyes and am confident that one of our new strikers getting the chances that he as been given would be scoring a hatful more

I think that Chelsea fans will see the same issues over a few months - so it is a win win for me

The “chances he has given” are more often than not because he is superb at getting in the right place, a huge difference between a top player and a decent player. I can’t deny Raz missers some sitters but he is genius at being in the right place at the right time

 

[Father Paul]

Putting aside whether Palmer is ready or not, and he is not, Palmer is already here. He was here last year when Torres was here. Grealish is already here. Foden too. Saying players that leave will be replaced by players that are here is just a way of saying those players won't be replaced.

It is like saying if we sell walker, cancelo will replace him or if we sell bernardo gundogan will replace him. We'd still 2 big players down.

Alvarez by the way is a big risk in itself, coming to this level and continent for the first time, straight off the back of a tournament without a rest. I expect Pep to take it easy with him, so another attacker if Sterling leaves and Gabi effectively gone is a must for me.

Remember this year is very different with WC break. Plenty of time to recalibrate and I anticipate more transfer activity in January than usual. We can replenish stocks if required. Anyway still two months of this window left no need to panic just yet.
While Raheem has his faults as a player and went through a few lean patches, all well documented, some of the comments on here are baffling. The guy has put in a big shift and attempts to smear his professionalism are absurd.

 

[mrtwiceaseason]

The “chances he has given” are more often than not because he is superb at getting in the right place, a huge difference between a top player and a decent player. I can’t deny Raz missers some sitters but he is genius at being in the right place at the right time

Have just watched haaland 86 goals for the first time was very surprised at the amount of tap ins maybe 50 or so ,wasn't the player I thought ,a lot of being in the right place at the right time ,I'm surprised he's more of a city type player than I thought

 

[clarion]

For the last two seasons Raheem was not on his best level. Selling him to our rival is not the best option though.

 

[blueparrot]

Have just watched haaland 86 goals for the first time was very surprised at the amount of tap ins maybe 50 or so ,wasn't the player I thought ,a lot of being in the right place at the right time ,I'm surprised he's more of a city type player than I thought

Yes, very much so, as I've tried to tell people that are expecting a change in style and crosses flung in like we have Andy Caroll. He scores more from passes played across the 6 yard box from and underlap than wide crosses.