#7 | Raheem Sterling - 2020/21 Performances

[mccity]

Not sure about the speed of play thing. The 17-18 season raz dug us out with a lot of last min winners when play was slowed to a snails pace by the opposition putting 11 men in and around the box and raz found a way. Kudos for trying to find a reason though instead of just slate him like some 'blues' on here.

We definitely played faster. 17-18 in particular.


We pressed A LOT more. Silva was instrumental in creating overloads that our wingers pace or KDB could ruthlessly exploit. We played with zip. Sure Sterling scored a few goals against packed bus parked defences, but he also scored a bucketload against less packed defences. Even against the packed defences though, we took more risks, because we could always press our way out.

This season, since around October/November, we're a lot more laid back. We don't press anywhere near as much as we used to. We are much faster to drop deep and defend. We're way more patient in attack. Pep's even made reference to how we used to make too many runs or how we tried to force things too much. We don't use the striker to stretch defences, we use the striker/false 9 to add presence to midfield. We're relying more on smart possession over pressing than ever. We're more reliant on timing than ever.

If 17-19 City was Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather, then this season we're Money Mayweather. All the same skills, all the same philosophies. Except we're more boring and more efficient, with a greater focus on defence than previously. We're more selective with our moments.


I'm fairly confident the motivation for these changes is more fitness related than anything tbh. In the very early season we had 3 consecutive league games (Wolves, Leicester, Leeds) where we pressed like mad, looking brilliant, and then spent 60 minutes looking like shit.

With a preseason behind us for next season, there's a chance we start pressing more like we used to, which should benefit Sterling, as well as Torres and Jesus too.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

We definitely played faster. 17-18 in particular.


We pressed A LOT more. Silva was instrumental in creating overloads that our wingers pace or KDB could ruthlessly exploit. We played with zip. Sure Sterling scored a few goals against packed bus parked defences, but he also scored a bucketload against less packed defences. Even against the packed defences though, we took more risks, because we could always press our way out.

This season, since around October/November, we're a lot more laid back. We don't press anywhere near as much as we used to. We are much faster to drop deep and defend. We're way more patient in attack. Pep's even made reference to how we used to make too many runs or how we tried to force things too much. We don't use the striker to stretch defences, we use the striker/false 9 to add presence to midfield. We're relying more on smart possession over pressing than ever. We're more reliant on timing than ever.

If 17-19 City was Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather, then this season we're Money Mayweather. All the same skills, all the same philosophies. Except we're more boring and more efficient, with a greater focus on defence than previously. We're more selective with our moments.


I'm fairly confident the motivation for these changes is more fitness related than anything tbh. In the very early season we had 3 consecutive league games (Wolves, Leicester, Leeds) where we pressed like mad, looking brilliant, and then spent 60 minutes looking like shit.

With a preseason behind us for next season, there's a chance we start pressing more like we used to, which should benefit Sterling, as well as Torres and Jesus too.

You're probably right. I've a soft spot for that side with raz (rw mostly?) sane on the left; Dave, Vk, in their pomp and Delph covering lb and any mistakes in the middle. That side anws it's press was great but did get found out/shut out and on many of these occasions raz found a way through - wish he could find that confidence / ability now.

 

[lightning Rodri]

We definitely played faster. 17-18 in particular.


We pressed A LOT more. Silva was instrumental in creating overloads that our wingers pace or KDB could ruthlessly exploit. We played with zip. Sure Sterling scored a few goals against packed bus parked defences, but he also scored a bucketload against less packed defences. Even against the packed defences though, we took more risks, because we could always press our way out.

This season, since around October/November, we're a lot more laid back. We don't press anywhere near as much as we used to. We are much faster to drop deep and defend. We're way more patient in attack. Pep's even made reference to how we used to make too many runs or how we tried to force things too much. We don't use the striker to stretch defences, we use the striker/false 9 to add presence to midfield. We're relying more on smart possession over pressing than ever. We're more reliant on timing than ever.

If 17-19 City was Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather, then this season we're Money Mayweather. All the same skills, all the same philosophies. Except we're more boring and more efficient, with a greater focus on defence than previously. We're more selective with our moments.


I'm fairly confident the motivation for these changes is more fitness related than anything tbh. In the very early season we had 3 consecutive league games (Wolves, Leicester, Leeds) where we pressed like mad, looking brilliant, and then spent 60 minutes looking like shit.

With a preseason behind us for next season, there's a chance we start pressing more like we used to, which should benefit Sterling, as well as Torres and Jesus too.

Agree with your analysis.
Only I am not sure we will revert to a high press early next season. All our boys will have a busy summer with international football and limited pre season. So I'm not sure if Pep will have enough time to switch.
Also I think our change of style could have played a big part in our CL progress. I still think our all action style would have been less likely to win against a side like PSG.

 

[David Silva]

We definitely played faster. 17-18 in particular.


We pressed A LOT more. Silva was instrumental in creating overloads that our wingers pace or KDB could ruthlessly exploit. We played with zip. Sure Sterling scored a few goals against packed bus parked defences, but he also scored a bucketload against less packed defences. Even against the packed defences though, we took more risks, because we could always press our way out.

This season, since around October/November, we're a lot more laid back. We don't press anywhere near as much as we used to. We are much faster to drop deep and defend. We're way more patient in attack. Pep's even made reference to how we used to make too many runs or how we tried to force things too much. We don't use the striker to stretch defences, we use the striker/false 9 to add presence to midfield. We're relying more on smart possession over pressing than ever. We're more reliant on timing than ever.

If 17-19 City was Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather, then this season we're Money Mayweather. All the same skills, all the same philosophies. Except we're more boring and more efficient, with a greater focus on defence than previously. We're more selective with our moments.


I'm fairly confident the motivation for these changes is more fitness related than anything tbh. In the very early season we had 3 consecutive league games (Wolves, Leicester, Leeds) where we pressed like mad, looking brilliant, and then spent 60 minutes looking like shit.

With a preseason behind us for next season, there's a chance we start pressing more like we used to, which should benefit Sterling, as well as Torres and Jesus too.

Good post. Also in 17/18 the wingers hugged the sideline and got in behind the full back a lot more often with runs off the ball. This year the wingers are a bit narrower and tend to come short to help us build up and retain possession. It does negate Sterling’s strengths a bit.

It’s frustrating for him but the change was needed, we faced far fewer 5-4-1s back in 2017 whereas it’s almost every week these days. The extra passes help us drag the mass defence out of position.

 

[wolviedinho]

Sterling deserves the chance to regain form. However, if he continues to produce abject performances next season the club will have a decision to make.

He has been fantastic for us and did carry the team for a large parts over the previous seasons. The change in formation/tactics has been to his detriment just like it has benefited Gundo it seemingly has negatively impacted sterling game. Maybe he can only excel in certain formations/tactics?

Either way, next season will be a resurgence or he will have to move on due to his contract situation. Overall since signing his last contract has he contributed to our success? resounding yes IMO.

I would rather give sterling the Benefit of the doubt no matter how pitiful his performances have been this season. Financially he will cost us in the short term but long term his value will return. A lot will depend on how pep evolves the team. False 9 or back to a star forward.

 

[Bluster]

Should I read much into Sterling not being in the squad?
It must be the first time under Pep unless he’s injured.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Should I read much into Sterling not being in the squad?
It must be the first time under Pep unless he’s injured.

I think Peps giving all his players a rest before both the final and the euros but Given that he's not played much and nowhere near the champions league starting 11 right now i too thought it was weird he would be rested tonight. If theres no injury it's certainly something to question.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Strange he didn’t play tonight. Can only imagine it’s because Pep wanted to have another look at Torres up front.

 

[mccity]

He wasn't fit to play.

 

[Bluster]

I think Peps giving all his players a rest before both the final and the euros but Given that he's not played much and nowhere near the champions league starting 11 right now i too thought it was weird he would be rested tonight. If theres no injury it's certainly something to question.

My thoughts exactly. He has hardly played in the past two months and is not being rested for the big one. He’s either injured or seriously out of favour.