#7 | Raheem Sterling - 2021/22 Performances

[Bluesiam]

I've been a critic, but I thought he looked much better at Watford.
A few on here have mentioned, Raheem looks much better out on the right. It allows him to use his pace and limits the impact of his lack of close control. It also shows that his timing and positional sense is underrated, which, with Foden and Cancelo on the left wing, will guarantee he gets several good chances a game.

 

[MarsLlama]

Of course it can be, especially when he goes through a patch of shit form.

But, from my point of view, it's equally frustrating to watch some of the more aesthetically pleasing players not have any killer instinct in the box whatsoever.

For as much as Raheem's touch might often let him down, his positional sense is on a whole other level to any of our other attackers. Gabby, as much as I love him, drives me fucking mad every time he pulls back onto the penalty spot when a cross is about to come in. Grealish has a pretty shitty scoring record and I don't see any reason to believe he will ever get to Sterling levels. Foden's finishing seems to have dropped a few levels but I'd expect his composure to return. Mahrez might actually be out second best player at making late runs into goalscoring positions.

But it's also doing Sterling a bit of an injustice to focus solely on his movement. Lately he's been taking on his man successfully and somehow developed a left foot, which previously was absolutely shocking and suited to nothing other than standing on. Again, without wanting to focus too much on our summer signing, I genuinely think if Grealish had put together a string of performances like Raheem has just done then we'd never hear the end of it because some of Sterling's biggest critics are diehard Grealish fanboys.

Like I said, I'm not trying to be negative about Jack and I'm sure he'll come good or at least improve aspects of his game but the way both players are perceived makes for a pretty stark contrast and I think the reason for that is the way they look on the ball rather than the actual influence they have over games.

Agree with all of this. We need players with great technique and ball retention, and we need players who can get in the box and score. There are players who can do both of these things but we seem quite determined not to buy any of them. So far we seem to be getting by on goal gluts from Gundogan or Silva.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

Of course it can be, especially when he goes through a patch of shit form.

But, from my point of view, it's equally frustrating to watch some of the more aesthetically pleasing players not have any killer instinct in the box whatsoever.

For as much as Raheem's touch might often let him down, his positional sense is on a whole other level to any of our other attackers. Gabby, as much as I love him, drives me fucking mad every time he pulls back onto the penalty spot when a cross is about to come in. Grealish has a pretty shitty scoring record and I don't see any reason to believe he will ever get to Sterling levels. Foden's finishing seems to have dropped a few levels but I'd expect his composure to return. Mahrez might actually be out second best player at making late runs into goalscoring positions.

But it's also doing Sterling a bit of an injustice to focus solely on his movement. Lately he's been taking on his man successfully and somehow developed a left foot, which previously was absolutely shocking and suited to nothing other than standing on. Again, without wanting to focus too much on our summer signing, I genuinely think if Grealish had put together a string of performances like Raheem has just done then we'd never hear the end of it because some of Sterling's biggest critics are diehard Grealish fanboys.

Like I said, I'm not trying to be negative about Jack and I'm sure he'll come good or at least improve aspects of his game but the way both players are perceived makes for a pretty stark contrast and I think the reason for that is the way they look on the ball rather than the actual influence they have over games.

No issues with this whatsoever, other than the fact that Sterling is no more of a killer in the box than any of our other players. He has scored a few goals lately (and missed some sitters) but prior to this he was showing all of the issues we all know about, in addition to not scoring goals.

If he bags 25+ goals a season, then for the most part his deficiencies can be somewhat overlooked, but he is nowhere near his goal-scoring levels of a couple of years ago at the moment. I think this was a major part of him going from seemingly undroppable to 2nd string. It looked to me like Pep forgave his lack of technique, control etc for the goals. Once the goals dried up, Pep ditched him because he was bringing very little to the party. Sterling is never going to be aesthetically pleasing on the ball, but what he can be is ultra-effective when at the top of his game.

A month ago I would have said Sterling was done here, but injuries to Foden and Grealish have given him a chance, and to his credit he has certainly upped his game. It’s up to Sterling now to improve and maintain form and show everyone that he deserves to stay at the club. I say this because whatever he might think about Barca, Real or any other clubs that might be interested in him, they are all currently a step down from this City side.

 

[Marvin]

I've been a critic, but I thought he looked much better at Watford.
A few on here have mentioned, Raheem looks much better out on the right. It allows him to use his pace and limits the impact of his lack of close control. It also shows that his timing and positional sense is underrated, which, with Foden and Cancelo on the left wing, will guarantee he gets several good chances a game.

Where does this lack of close control come from. I've seen more than one person mention that? It's bizarre. That's his strength especially when running at pace is amazing. Where he struggles is in front of goal and he loses composure, snatches at shots etc

Sterling is an outstanding player.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Where does this lack of close control come from. I've seen more than one person mention that? It's bizarre.

It is a justified criticism, for the most part.

People act like he can't control the ball to save his life but when you're in a side with the likes of Mahrez, Bernardo, Grealish and Foden, anything other than a consistently great first touch is going to make you stand out for the wrong reasons.

 

[Callum Ramsey]

Some seem to be conflating the sterling that we've seen the past year or so as who he has always been as a player or most of his career. A player who seems indecisive, can't seem to carry or dribble the ball for much distance without losing control, poor touch/control etc. I won't disagree that is the player he's been for a good part of the last year and half as both his form and confidence seemed to have deteriorated at a worrying rate. But I have to disagree with those who make the implication that is who he is or has always been as a player.

I won't try to pretend that he some great technical player or even comparable to the likes of foden, bernardo, mahrez in the team. For a player of his standards his ball striking technique especially in regards to shooting/crossing has often left a lot to be desired. He particularly struggles with any sort of shot or pass that is required to travel a longer distance. But that is only one side of it when it comes to technique, the other part which includes touch, dribbling, close control and ability to play in tight spaces he has always been good at and at his best never looked out of place in the team. Any suggestions that a player who has played the most and been that trusted for a manager like pep has always been poor at the technical side of his game is nonsensical.

During his time at the club he's been involved in many of the team's build/ups and intricate plays leading to goals and his ball retention has always been good. The second half of the 18/19 season being the perfect example of this where game control became more prioritised by pep and 1-0 victories became common. Ironically that also coincided with sane losing favour with pep even though most would agree he is the better technical player than sterling in terms of striking the ball, yet pep understood that was only part of it and sterling was much better when it came to ball retention and the more intricate part of the game which was needed to gain more control in those tight games.

That is why I always find it baffling the idea that an in-form sterling can't play in a more control/possession based side because he doesn't have the technical ability to when history proves otherwise. I have no doubt a confident and performing sterling would be one of the first names on the sheet for pep simply because he has always been a good technical player in addition to the other more important parts of his play. The fact that side of his game seems to have fallen off along with his form the past year doesn't change that.

 

[Dax777]

Of course it can be, especially when he goes through a patch of shit form.

But, from my point of view, it's equally frustrating to watch some of the more aesthetically pleasing players not have any killer instinct in the box whatsoever.

For as much as Raheem's touch might often let him down, his positional sense is on a whole other level to any of our other attackers. Gabby, as much as I love him, drives me fucking mad every time he pulls back onto the penalty spot when a cross is about to come in. Grealish has a pretty shitty scoring record and I don't see any reason to believe he will ever get to Sterling levels. Foden's finishing seems to have dropped a few levels but I'd expect his composure to return. Mahrez might actually be out second best player at making late runs into goalscoring positions.

But it's also doing Sterling a bit of an injustice to focus solely on his movement. Lately he's been taking on his man successfully and somehow developed a left foot, which previously was absolutely shocking and suited to nothing other than standing on. Again, without wanting to focus too much on our summer signing, I genuinely think if Grealish had put together a string of performances like Raheem has just done then we'd never hear the end of it because some of Sterling's biggest critics are diehard Grealish fanboys.

Like I said, I'm not trying to be negative about Jack and I'm sure he'll come good or at least improve aspects of his game but the way both players are perceived makes for a pretty stark contrast and I think the reason for that is the way they look on the ball rather than the actual influence they have over games.

Well, Jack has been kinda meh too, to be fair. And I am a jack fan. Cuz I think his ball skills are very good.

As for Raheem, I quite fancy him as the false 9 as he moves better off the ball than on it. And he find spaces quite well in the final third.

That said, I hink Gundogan moves the best of any of our players in the final third.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

That said, I hink Gundogan moves the best of any of our players in the final third

Yeah Gundo's a good shout. Realised I forgot him when I mentioned Mahrez but couldn't be arsed to edit the comment. Different type of movement but so effective.

 

[DAGW]

He writes in another thread.

I didnt rate Dunne Hart or Sterling,

If you don't rate a player for years and post 100s of times how poor that player is, how can it be possible to judge a performance.

But the bigger issue is why would anybody supporting a team want to continually criticise one player time and time again, over a period of years. Does not seem at all healthy to me. Especially as the the best coach in the World seems to pick that player on a regular basis.

I’m not sure where you were going with the first 2 lines, so I won’t try and guess and inevitably grab the wrong end of any stick :)

It just seemed odd to suggest that because some are more staunchly set in their view about a player’s performances, they can’t spot a fair balanced post. Seemed like an easy way to dismiss a view that you might not want, or be able, to address. A lot of that goes on in this forum.

There’s definitely 2 very separate groups of people here;

Blue tinted supporters whose only goal is to support anyone and anything, in a blue shirt, regardless of performance. Which is fine, so long as they don’t dismiss others’ opinions in a performance thread, just because those opinions are critical.

The other group are emotionally invested in the club’s performance and want desperately for the club to be the best in the world. They’ve come to expect the very best from every player (much like Pep). You could argue and have, with no way of influencing decisions and performance, that it’s slightly unhealthy - a bit like shouting in a soundproof room. I think most would agree that supporting City for so long has been an unhealthy obsession lol.

At the end of the day everyone’s entitled to an opinion, it’s just better if those opinions are well thought out and expressed, then debated objectively with openness to change one’s view.

 

[Maly]

I will speak my mind and how I feel based on what I see. My thoughts and opinions will not be silenced simply because they make you and others uncomfortable. But nice attempt to make it seem I called the entire club and fanbase racist. When I was speaking on a select few who most definitely are.

You have no authority to tell me when I should see or feel prejudice. Even Raheem and many others have spoken about the unjust treatment he receives for obvious reasons.

You should choose your words more carefully. These are your exact words,

Facts if you actually look at who hates him most it’s the Brexit crowd. Who will find fault even when he gets a MOTM award simple because he is a different “hue”.

which is an absolute crock of shit. Firstly, how the fuck do you know those who hate him most are pro Brexit?

Secondly, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone post that they hate him

Thirdly, what has being pro Brexit to do with race or racism?

Fourthly, how do you know who is pro & anti Brexit anyway

Fifthly, how do you know the race of any poster unless you’ve met them?

So you are chatting 100% shite.

It would be akin to me seeing you post in the Gabby Logan thread (if there is one?) that you think she’s a shit presenter because of x, y & z and then for me to deduce & post that makes you a male chauvinist at best & a rapist at worst & yet I know nothing about you or even if you’re male or female

Are there racists on this board? I’m sure there are. Can you identify them by if they post negative things about Sterling or if they are pro Brexit? Can you fuck, so wind your fucking neck in with your baseless accusations.