#7 | Raheem Sterling - 2020/21 Performances

[Larry Stranger]

Sterling has been having a tough time ever since we sold Sané and, more recently, when we started playing with a false 9 this season. I think his best stretch of form for us was when he was a proper "out and out" winger on the right hand side. He's just not effective on the left. The problem is that Mahrez is essentially the established first choice winger on the right these days, and Foden is much more effective on the left, so where does that leave Sterling? Having said all of that, I still rate him massively, and it'd be a shame if we let him go. If nothing else, he's a quality option to have in the squad and, as long as his new wage is reasonable, it doesn't make sense to not extend his contract.

Sterling can still can come good for us, but I think a lot depends on the set up. Right now Mahrez is better on the right with the combination of Walker behind him is what's working for us. Mahrez is better at creating for himself that Walker doesn't need to help out as much attacking wise except for an occasional overlap. We can use Walker's pace to break up counters.
Sterling benefits from having a fullback like Cancelo who can put in through balls for him. I think back to earlier in the year against Newcastle I think where Cancelo drifted into the midfield and put in a ball for Raheem to cutback where Gundgo scored. Also the balance of defending the counter attack needs to be spot on.

 

[Callum Ramsey]

Yeah but why improved terms? Why parity with our highest earners? There's got to be a better reason than because they can sell him? In fact, offering such huge wages makes it more difficult to sell him as it prices everyone out. Besides, he has two years left on his deal, so if the club wanted to sell him they'd have plenty of time to do and even get a decent fee in the process.

Surely you'd assume the club's got a more legitimate reason behind offering him improved terms? What do you sincerely think the club's reasoning is?

I will try and give this a go.

Despite his form totally falling off a cliff the past few months(since the beginning of march) and him in effect losing his starting spot. Prior to that he was pretty much a mainstay in the team, was a consistent feature of the 21 game-winning run the team went on, scored some important goals in the earlier part of the season 3 of which being match-winners in 1-0 wins and was a factor of why the league was pretty much won by the beginning of march before his form dropped. No amount of revisionist history will remove the fact that he started and played a part in wins against liverpool, spurs, everton and arsenal in a row which effectively sealed the title.

So here you have a player whom despite being in his worst form the past few months, will still end the season having the 3rd most minutes of all outfield players(excluding ederson), currently joint 3rd for goals with 14 and 2nd in assists with 11. Clearly this is a player who has been of some value to the team this season despite his loss off form towards the end of it.

Maybe pep has lost trust in starting him in the most important games currently but certainly hasn't lost complete faith in him as a player seeing he started him in the league cup final. If I was to guess, Pep and the management view this season and the false 9 as an anomaly and something that can't be sustained long-term going forward especially with the highest goal-scorer being a central midfielder with 17. Hence the seemingly huge priority of the signing of a top class striker in the summer. If that is to be the case he would probably feel having a focal point to lead the line would be what will help get sterling back into form and performing to the standards he has the past few seasons.

Thankfully this is a manager who doesn't base a player's overall quality or potential contribution on a few months of poor form because if he were to listen to many here, the likes of gundogan, stones, mahrez and even bernardo would all be sold by now.

 

[domalino]

It’s still early in his current contract, he’s looking for his big “pay day” contract, while coming off a poor season where he’s not even in the First XI!

I stopped reading here because your entire premise is wrong.

The club is approaching him for a new contract. He doesn't even have an agent. No one has ever said he is asking for a new contract.

So no, hes not "looking for a payday". Sounds like you and the people who liked your completely wrong comment have swallowed a bit too much of the Sun's "greedy sterling" propaganda.

 

[Tb1981]

Nows the time to sign him up to a new contract. Not a queue of clubs wanting him.
Next year when he gets his form back he will be worth more
He has been great for us, he had his faults but I’d rather not have him playing against us for another club

 

[Tb1981]

I will try and give this a go.

Despite his form totally falling off a cliff the past few months(since the beginning of march) and him in effect losing his starting spot. Prior to that he was pretty much a mainstay in the team, was a consistent feature of the 21 game-winning run the team went on, scored some important goals in the earlier part of the season 3 of which being match-winners in 1-0 wins and was a factor of why the league was pretty much won by the beginning of march before his form dropped. No amount of revisionist history will remove the fact that he started and played a part in wins against liverpool, spurs, everton and arsenal in a row which effectively sealed the title.

So here you have a player whom despite being in his worst form the past few months, will still end the season having the 3rd most minutes of all outfield players(excluding ederson), currently joint 3rd for goals with 14 and 2nd in assists with 11. Clearly this is a player who has been of some value to the team this season despite his loss off form towards the end of it.

Maybe pep has lost trust in starting him in the most important games currently but certainly hasn't lost complete faith in him as a player seeing he started him in the league cup final. If I was to guess, Pep and the management view this season and the false 9 as an anomaly and something that can't be sustained long-term going forward especially with the highest goal-scorer being a central midfielder with 17. Hence the seemingly huge priority of the signing of a top class striker in the summer. If that is to be the case he would probably feel having a focal point to lead the line would be what will help get sterling back into form and performing to the standards he has the past few seasons.

Thankfully this is a manager who doesn't base a player's overall quality or potential contribution on a few months of poor form because if he were to listen to many here, the likes of gundogan, stones, mahrez and even bernardo would all be sold by now.

Great post

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Because he's very good at football, the club believe in his talent, they recognize his 79 goals from 2017-2020 as being more indicative of his quality than this season's turn of form, and he's extremely marketable.

I'm fishing for an answer because I believe that the people who don't believe Sterling merits an improved deal (which is a more than reasonable opinion) seem to either be completely unaware of why the club is apparently offering him better terms or they're ignoring it (for the most part). It helps me understand your position and line of reasoning when I know whether you understand the club's reasoning and are arguing against it, ignoring it, or whether you don't know and are simply arguing against Sterling getting an improved deal in general.

I’ll make it easy:

Currently, he is not good enough to start in the team, and hasn’t been for most of the season.

On current performances, he has no chance of EVER being good enough to start with the players we have and the players coming through.

In short, he’s been relegated to the “impact sub” role, with no impact!

 

[kaz7]

I’ll make it easy:

Currently, he is not hood enough to start in the team, and hasn’t been for most of the season.

On current performances, he has no chance of EVER being good enough to start with the players we have and the players coming through.

In short, he’s been relegated to the “impact sub” role, with no impact!

We have changed the way we play and it is not the best for him

Just saying

Continue

 

[ChicagoBlue]

We have changed the way we play and it is not the best for him

Just saying

Continue

If he was a “footballer” he could.

Just saying.

 

[kaz7]

If he was a “footballer” he could.

Just saying.

They all have to adapt at times , he will as well

 

[ChicagoBlue]

I will try and give this a go.

Despite his form totally falling off a cliff the past few months(since the beginning of march) and him in effect losing his starting spot. Prior to that he was pretty much a mainstay in the team, was a consistent feature of the 21 game-winning run the team went on, scored some important goals in the earlier part of the season 3 of which being match-winners in 1-0 wins and was a factor of why the league was pretty much won by the beginning of march before his form dropped. No amount of revisionist history will remove the fact that he started and played a part in wins against liverpool, spurs, everton and arsenal in a row which effectively sealed the title.

So here you have a player whom despite being in his worst form the past few months, will still end the season having the 3rd most minutes of all outfield players(excluding ederson), currently joint 3rd for goals with 14 and 2nd in assists with 11. Clearly this is a player who has been of some value to the team this season despite his loss off form towards the end of it.

Maybe pep has lost trust in starting him in the most important games currently but certainly hasn't lost complete faith in him as a player seeing he started him in the league cup final. If I was to guess, Pep and the management view this season and the false 9 as an anomaly and something that can't be sustained long-term going forward especially with the highest goal-scorer being a central midfielder with 17. Hence the seemingly huge priority of the signing of a top class striker in the summer. If that is to be the case he would probably feel having a focal point to lead the line would be what will help get sterling back into form and performing to the standards he has the past few seasons.

Thankfully this is a manager who doesn't base a player's overall quality or potential contribution on a few months of poor form because if he were to listen to many here, the likes of gundogan, stones, mahrez and even bernardo would all be sold by now.

Nice post, with one significant caveat…

Gundogan, Mahrez and Bernardo are all top, top players with outstanding technical ability and football acumen. I fear the same cannot be said of Sterling, and the comparison does him absolutely no favors.