Although you could say the same about Aguero too. Aguero made the runs that created space for Sterling to operate it. Nobody does that now. His performances for England suggest that he's still got it when paired with a proper striker.
Perhaps. When David operated in the inside left channel, he always had Sterling in his triangle, whether it be Raheem being slipped inside the full-back, or Silva remaining on the outside and pulling the ball back across on a silver platter.
Dave didn't really have to run, he attracted defenders to him, which also enabled space on the wide left when Sane could also be the foil and Sterling was again the beneficiary operating in the middle.
The goal he scored in midweek was perhaps a throwback and one has has scored 30-odd times.
The service has changed mainly due to Silva's departure and the ball retention being slowed down to a walking pace from the flanks, in order to reduce the rapid transitions against us.
It won us a title last season but Sterling's lack of composure and decision making in the tight spaces and slowing of our overall game, has further compounded those shortcomings.
It has eroded his confidence to the extent in the last 12 months he has tried too hard to force the issue in front of goal.
This present incarnation of Pep's City is a predatory box number nine away from total dominance. They have built a new motorway by-pass with the additions of Foden, Grealish and the correct central morphing of Bernardo, but it still needs the Porsche to be bought for the fast lane.
Whatever anyone thinks of Raheem and his qualities, he wasn't bought for that provision to be that killer in the penalty area.
It's to his and Pep's credit that they were able to adapt things, but it's not about Sterling now getting a big goal, in a big moment, much as we would all still love to see it.
He'll perform elsewhere, but both he and City are currently being held back by each other, because of the need for something different.
