Well Id say this, the likes of Aguero, Yaya, Silva, came in as ready made players. Theyre no brainers, and dont need any analysis to say thats a good signing before theyve kicked a ball.
The other players you mentioned came in at the age of 23-24 which is a different kettle of fish. Thats the age we would have thought Sterling would have maybe moved on if he was going to, cause he isnt ready.
Were talking about still developing a youth player, only 20. And only 19 when he felt hes ready for the next step. Obviously wenger has that knack over the years, with the current crop being Ramsey, Wilshere, Oxlade Chamberlain, who have been groomed form a young age. Wenger built their games. Rodgers was building Sterlings game but hes been taken out of the incubator early. At least 2-3 years short.
The discussion about City, from the outside at least is that its more of a sink or swim environment. With big money like youve got, time is not on your side for youth development because your more inclined to splash the cash on the next big thing, who are ready out of the box.
Were not happy that he wanted to leave because he was our own development, but were certainly not unhappy for the fee paid, because we dont think he worth that much. If you bought him more at his market value say £25-30million for a 20 year old then that would be really painful. But £49million, is almost a no brainer for us in itself.
