Raheem Sterling - 2016/17 performances

[OrigamiNinja]

The only people who hate him are the ones who stupidly expect him to be the finished product at 22. This season has seen a huge improvement in his game. He will continue to improve year on year until he reaches his potential.

Nobody expects a player to be the finished article at 22 years old but those expecting him to improve massively in the areas he is extremely weak over the next two or three years are expecting the impossible. Players don't develop a 1st touch or a range of passing in their 20s. He may however improve his finishing and decision making which we would all appreciate. Yesterday was Raheem Sterling in a nutshell, he was abysmal up until he scored and not much better after it. We kept trying to involve him in one-touch passing moves and he kept giving it away. The ball kept bouncing off him and back to the opposition. This just isn't his game and if we persist with trying to utilise Sterling in the same way as say Sane then Sterling will continue to frustrate because despite being younger, Sane has the attributes that Sterling won't develop i.e. A good 1st touch and the ability to be involved in an intricate short-passing game. What Sterling can bring to the table is lightning pace and the ability to beat a man which if coupled with an improvement in his decision making and finishing could result in a 15-20 goals and the same in assists a season player.

 

[City_Sean]

Took his goal really well yesterday, showed some impressive composure in front of goal. He, Sane and Jesus are a very exciting prospect going forward.

 

[Hart of the Matter]

Was his goal celebration a bit of a 'fuck you' gesture to the press box??

 

[kaz7]

Was his goal celebration a bit of a 'fuck you' gesture to the press box??

That through ball by jesus was very silva like,gorgeous

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Nobody expects a player to be the finished article at 22 years old but those expecting him to improve massively in the areas he is extremely weak over the next two or three years are expecting the impossible. Players don't develop a 1st touch or a range of passing in their 20s. He may however improve his finishing and decision making which we would all appreciate. Yesterday was Raheem Sterling in a nutshell, he was abysmal up until he scored and not much better after it. We kept trying to involve him in one-touch passing moves and he kept giving it away. The ball kept bouncing off him and back to the opposition. This just isn't his game and if we persist with trying to utilise Sterling in the same way as say Sane then Sterling will continue to frustrate because despite being younger, Sane has the attributes that Sterling won't develop i.e. A good 1st touch and the ability to be involved in an intricate short-passing game. What Sterling can bring to the table is lightning pace and the ability to beat a man which if coupled with an improvement in his decision making and finishing could result in a 15-20 goals and the same in assists a season player.

That is well summed up.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Players don't develop a 1st touch or a range of passing in their 20s.

It's absolutely ridiculous to believe it a certainty that a player can't and won't improve aspects of their game which they will practise nearly every day for the next ten years.

 

[domalino]

Was his goal celebration a bit of a 'fuck you' gesture to the press box??

No.

 

[domalino]

Nobody expects a player to be the finished article at 22 years old but those expecting him to improve massively in the areas he is extremely weak over the next two or three years are expecting the impossible. Players don't develop a 1st touch or a range of passing in their 20s. He may however improve his finishing and decision making which we would all appreciate. Yesterday was Raheem Sterling in a nutshell, he was abysmal up until he scored and not much better after it. We kept trying to involve him in one-touch passing moves and he kept giving it away. The ball kept bouncing off him and back to the opposition. This just isn't his game and if we persist with trying to utilise Sterling in the same way as say Sane then Sterling will continue to frustrate because despite being younger, Sane has the attributes that Sterling won't develop i.e. A good 1st touch and the ability to be involved in an intricate short-passing game. What Sterling can bring to the table is lightning pace and the ability to beat a man which if coupled with an improvement in his decision making and finishing could result in a 15-20 goals and the same in assists a season player.

I completely disagree with this summation of Sterling, but instead of arguing, I'll just mention that our manager and his staff fundamenraly disagree with your assumptions about improving his touch, passing etc. And so the rest of your point is moot anyway.

“There are aspects of your game you can improve at any age and one of them is basic technique. Paco Seirul.lo and I have talked about this a lot.

“There’s no doubt that players over 30 can still improve their technique and tactical sense”

[Guardiola] believes this kind of daily input impacts hugely on the quality of a player’s performance and always uses Éric Abidal as an example. At Barcelona, the French defender went through a comprehensive technical-tactical transformation at the age of 30. No longer a player distinguished for his physical strength alone, he grew into the complete footballer, a defender with exquisite technique and an impressive understanding of the game.

But what do they know? ;)

 

[Callum Ramsey]

Nobody expects a player to be the finished article at 22 years old but those expecting him to improve massively in the areas he is extremely weak over the next two or three years are expecting the impossible. Players don't develop a 1st touch or a range of passing in their 20s. He may however improve his finishing and decision making which we would all appreciate. Yesterday was Raheem Sterling in a nutshell, he was abysmal up until he scored and not much better after it. We kept trying to involve him in one-touch passing moves and he kept giving it away. The ball kept bouncing off him and back to the opposition. This just isn't his game and if we persist with trying to utilise Sterling in the same way as say Sane then Sterling will continue to frustrate because despite being younger, Sane has the attributes that Sterling won't develop i.e. A good 1st touch and the ability to be involved in an intricate short-passing game. What Sterling can bring to the table is lightning pace and the ability to beat a man which if coupled with an improvement in his decision making and finishing could result in a 15-20 goals and the same in assists a season player.

What has sane shown in his games that makes you believe he has a better 1st touch or ability to play intricate passes than sterling. genuine question and not a dig at sane as I believe he is slightly the better and looks more natural player on the ball but sterling is more than capable of playing in tight spaces and certainly has a good first touch, better than at least 90% of wingers in the league. This idea that sterling is just a pace merchant who's good at beating players couldnt be far from the truth as anyone who saw him playing as a 10 for liverpool will tell you. You only need to look at the video below of him at 19 and its quite clear he has way more to his game than you give him credit for

 

[blue wang]

Nobody expects a player to be the finished article at 22 years old but those expecting him to improve massively in the areas he is extremely weak over the next two or three years are expecting the impossible. Players don't develop a 1st touch or a range of passing in their 20s. He may however improve his finishing and decision making which we would all appreciate. Yesterday was Raheem Sterling in a nutshell, he was abysmal up until he scored and not much better after it. We kept trying to involve him in one-touch passing moves and he kept giving it away. The ball kept bouncing off him and back to the opposition. This just isn't his game and if we persist with trying to utilise Sterling in the same way as say Sane then Sterling will continue to frustrate because despite being younger, Sane has the attributes that Sterling won't develop i.e. A good 1st touch and the ability to be involved in an intricate short-passing game. What Sterling can bring to the table is lightning pace and the ability to beat a man which if coupled with an improvement in his decision making and finishing could result in a 15-20 goals and the same in assists a season player.

Spot on.