I remember seeing Sterling play against us at Anfield. Every time he got the ball, running against Kolo Toure, I spent the game watching it through my fingers. Yet, end product was more miss than hit.
Yes, he’s scored many goals but a typical Sterling goal is the tap in at the far post once we’ve got in behind the defence. He must have scored that goal 40 times for us. The thing is that goal is a result of the system and the team itself. Arguably, knocking it into the net from 4 yards out is the easy bit. Too often for me though he’s failed at this task.
The fluffed attempt away at Burnley from a yard out was unfathomable. But for me, the miss against Lyon was just unforgivable and I don’t think Pep trusts him in big games because of this one moment. I don’t expect Pep to start him in the second leg or the final should we get there.
Therefore, having your second highest wage earner not being trusted to play in the biggest games is not tenable in the long run.
I think Grealish is a better footballer. He’s quicker than I though he’d be when seeing him play live. He’s putting up impressive stats whilst being often being kicked out of the game or opposition doubling up on their marking. In our team, I think he’d find his true level with more time on the ball (given our possession figs) and teams being unable to double on up anymore.
I don’t think Sterling warrants a wage increase but at the moment there’s no one out there who would give us more than £80m for him so he’s most likely to stay.
