It's not the first time we've seen Sterling dipped in form. Before he even came here he was still a class player as that S and S duo with Suarez and I was glad that we got him to move to us. Even then he had dips in form.
His first year with us wasn't great but wasn't half bad either. His finishing in particular which we were quick to point out that he overthinks things and dithers with the ball in front of goal. But once he sorted that out we credited it to Pep, his finishing became sublime and instinctve. He rounded keepers, he dribbled through 3 players with ease. He ran to the goal line and crosses back goal side to Aguero or De Bruyne or Sane or whoever in the box. With Sane they were unplayable at times. His poor finishing crept in at times but he comes back to being class player.
It's only this time his dip in form coincides with our run in for the fight on all fronts (the quadruple that now not meant to be) and Gundogan and Foden getting on form. Many now have a stick (or two now) to beat him with.
But we can't just lose a 30 goals 20 assist a season player overnight. He has history of overthinking. Sterling needs to get his confidence back, and that greed to score. That mess to score a goal last match is not the only example of him being in two minds. It's been awhile since we see him make an effort to squeeze through players to get in the box. Can't put a finger on why that is though. Angling for a move? Confidence shot? Off-field matters? Harder to stand out in the new system where Stones and Diaz now break into the box? Fallen out of favour?
He's being put under the microscope here because of how players we used to want to sell (Gundogan) or thinking of loaning out for experience (Foden) and chopping block (Mahrez) all have contributed more in the run in.
The worst that can happen is to sell him to a rival team whether it be in the league or CL. He's got several years left and I truly believe he hasn't reached his prime yet.
