Player Topic: Raheem Sterling (2015/16)

[sir baconface]

I'm not convinced by Sterling. That's not to say he won't become a top player, but at the moment when I watch him I always think that if you take away his pace, he offers little else.

I know what you're saying but surely you'd agree he looks pretty useful when at the top of his game? For me the issue is lack of consistency which, they say, tends to improve with age and experience. Bear in mind too that he's still on a learning curve with his team mates. Personally I think he will prove a good acquisition.

 

[Kinkys Left Foot]

This isn't a dig because I think he's a good player and I would probably have left him on today because he offered a threat. However, what does he have that Barker, Roberts or Nacho don't have - other than a price tag? What I mean by this is, he doesn't strike the ball cleanly meaning his passing and finishing aren't of great quality. He isn't a particularly good crosser and he doesn't seem to beat his man all that often. Is it purely pace/threat and a little bit of tactical discipline?

What surprises me is that you have to ask that question.
The answer is what all defenders fear above all else - blistering pace. I still don't think we use his best asset to get the most from it.
Yes I agree his control technique could be better, his decision making and finishing could be better all of which can be practiced and coached.
However Barker, Roberts and Nacho cannot be coached to sprint quicker than their natural ability allows them to.

 

[blue-squarepants]

barker has as much pace and more strength but not the price tag

 

[come-on-barney]

I must watch a different game. We would not have beat Sevilla without him they were absolutely frightened of his pace and he destroyed them in the first thirty minutes. Whilst I am as impatient as everyone else for us to bring through a youngster, having watched Barker a lot just don't think he will make it at a top four club. Hopefully he will prove me wrong but Barker is unfortunately not in the same bracket as Sterling.

 

[BurnCK]

I'd hope for touch and finishing on top of pace actually. Yes I saw the game and he had composure for that goal, but there's also plenty of times he's lacked composure.

I'm not slagging him...like I said, not saying he won't develop but at the moment I'm just not completely convinced.

 

[blue-squarepants]

of course he is,nt because he does not play top level football, as for top 4 club that will depend on us, rotherham not going to bring him on in his development

 

[blue-squarepants]

as the other nights match proved been at club less then 24hrs and was by far best player on pitch

 

[come-on-barney]

As I said not disputing he will make it but in my opinion not top four material. That includes us trying to bring him through.

 

[blue-squarepants]

yer your right so we should turn academy into up market spar for players wifes ?????

 

[Worst Case Ontario]

barker has as much pace and more strength but not the price tag

And he will be lucky if some Championship club will pick him up