I was always critical of the likes of Sterling and Mahrez for their overall play. I could never be critical of their G/A contribution. I look at the like of Doku and Silvinho and think that for the most part, I like what they do. However, there’s no escaping the fact that they simply don’t deliver enough. I think Silvinho has more talent than Sterling ever had but I’d snap your hand off for Sterlings goals right now.
I wouldn't compare Mahrez in that term, because except 19/20, his overall play like: first touch, correct passes, loosing the ball was always OK and in terms of statistics he was scoring a lot as well.
Sane / Sterling had these issues more, cause both of them lacked "first touch" and they weren't as convincing with the ball like Doku and Savinho are.
But in terms of statistics Sane and Sterling were way better.
Right now, when we lack Rodri and loosing ball is something we don't want, Doku/Savinho are vital, but we also need players like Kev and Phil to start scoring the goals.
Also since like 2022/23 when Pep invented that system
Bernie--John----Rodri---Grealish
----------KDB-----Gundo------------
-------------Haaland-----------------
Wingers are more important in terms of build-up and possession, while N8-s are important in terms of goals and assists. Since then our N8-s (Gundo, KDB, Foden, Alvarez) have scored more than our wingers Grealish, Doku, Mahrez, Savinho, Bernardo...
Before it was like: wingers were providing more goals and assists in overall, n8-s were concentrating more on build-up and possession. Sane/Sterling/Mahrez/Foden scoring & assisting more than KDB, Gundo and Bernie