Raheem Sterling | Joins Chelsea for £50m

[BolinCell]

Well if you’re going to apply zero context to it then sure, it’s not good.

What about when the player:
- Wants to leave
- Can leave for free next summer
- Has only 1 club after him
- Won’t sign new contract

What then? To get up to £55m is fantastic business. And even going to Chelsea is miles better than the alternative.

would of preferred he went abroad that's all. People underestimating his ability is what annoys me. He's a fantastic forward. Chelsea are getting a bargain in my opinion.

 

[kevin horlocks wand]

Timing is right for him and us for a change .

good player over the years and I wish him well.

 

[BolinCell]

Ok what’s your bet?

bet Chelsea finish in the top 2.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I agree with all that and let’s face it we can’t know what Pep thinks. I am certain Pep has an opinion and it’s the most important aspect of a player being signed, but it’s not the only one and he doesn’t always get his way and rightly in my opinion.

Pep has mentioned a few times that he tries to work with the players that he is given and that Txiki is in charge of that area.

I think sometimes posters think Pep just points at a player and we sign him ignoring scouting analytics personality checks and finances both for now and the future.

Gone are the days where a Manager just fancied a player which is why we are so successful in this area now.

Yeah there are plenty of examples of Pep wanting a player and not getting him. There are also examples of when he's wanted to sign a player in a certain position and it's not happened for whatever reason and then we've had to fill that gap a year later. It's not as straight forward as people like to make out.

 

[mosssideblue]

bet Chelsea finish in the top 2.

Based on what?

 

[Coatigan]

Not sure I fully agree with you here, I don’t think (even with no additions in attacking midfield or up front) we are weaker than last year, I think we have a different shape, a different threat and an in known quantity for most in alverez. There is also the fact that pep has seen another year of palmer of Mcatee and might see something we havnt in term of quality for back up roles.

Personally I think we are seeing an evolution of how we will play, and a move to the ‘Eddie Jones’ school of thought (using the five subs) of having game finishers in a slight alteration to formation, he has tried this during the season prior to last.

I could be totally wrong but it feels that way for me.

There is more potential of a defence reinforcement but everything seems to felt to be good by city in the rest of the squad to me.

Maybe read that back, we don't disagree that much.

Happy to see how it plays out. And then go into the season with high hopes regardless.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

He strengthens their team because he is better than what they have now. Sterling is one of the best attacking players in the PL, his finishing is not great but his chance creation and forward link up play is good. Sterling is a seasoned international with bags of experience. If Chelsea pay 45 million then they have a bargain in my opinion. I would of preferred he went abroad if we needed to sell. Suppose this is financial reality.

Probably most of us prefer that he had gone abroad, but if nobody was coming in for him Chelsea are the only option .

Even if they have a bargain at £45million, that fee added to his salary freeing up circa £16million a year, means an ovoerall amount of £60million to City to re-invest in players.

A no brainer imo.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Yes but factor in his record over the years, he' a full England international, even his profile. then if we'd got less than Jesus, say 35-40- I'd have been a little dissapointed. I think £45 mill plus addons is just about the right price. I'd ask if it was us buyimg from Chelsea do you think he'd be less than £45 mill?

I base it on his form over 18 months and, for me, we are getting the far better end of this deal.

If he had been at the top of his form during that time, then obviously Chelsea would be getting the bargain.

Sterling has featured in 67 per cent of City's games since his debut for us.

I would argue that's quite high, considering he does not play a pivotal position.

I wish him and his family well and zero club football success from this point, forward.

The fact is he has delayed a decision for 18 months and used all manner of stalling tactics to arrive at this stage.

One such issue was he was sorting out his representation, yet he has managed to green light this move in a matter of days?

Another was playing time, yet 67 per cent in our forward ranks is not to be sniffed at.

If it's actually playing in the BIGGEST of games, then fair enough, he's missed out at times.

However, if Pep did not rate his abilities, he would surely not have ripped up the tactics to start him in the biggest game in our history?

It's a good deal for everyone, sounds like an adult parting of the ways, and I am excited to see Cole Palmer get the opportunities to further prove himself, as he reminds me so much of Paul Lake.

 

[Kazzydeyna]

Well if you’re going to apply zero context to it then sure, it’s not good.

What about when the player:
- Wants to leave
- Can leave for free next summer
- Has only 1 club after him
- Won’t sign new contract

What then? To get up to £55m is fantastic business. And even going to Chelsea is miles better than the alternative.

Exactly this. What alternative is there?
we can dig our heels in and refuse to sell. What does that get us? We’d give up a fee of £50m+, keep an unhappy player, and have to give game time to him when the world and his dog know he simply is not of good enough quality to play for this team.
Let Chelsea tear THEIR hair out as he dithers and delays every time the ball comes to him.
The worst one-on-one footballer we have had since Anelka.
Nice lad, principled and courageous, created some happy memories for us all but is now refusing to sign a contract and wants to run his contract down. Sorry, City are bigger than any player these days.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Right but those same things apply.

Pep doesn't know if Haaland's injury issues will continue. He also doesn't know if Grealish will finally start scoring a decent amount of goals. Or if Alvarez will settle. Or if Palmer will make the step up.

Those aren't things that will necessarily show on the training ground so it's not strictly a case of sticking your fingers in your ears and saying "I'm not listening, Pep knows bestest."

Signing a replacement for Sterling would go some way to getting rid of those question marks.

Yep all true. I think the Club as a whole has made the decision to give Cole Palmer a go this year and prioritise other areas. I happen to agree but that doesn’t make me or the club correct. We will have to see.