Raheem Sterling | Joins Chelsea for £50m

[Damanino]

he was a very important player for us, I really liked his pressing, fitness and injury wise he was rarely injured imo. he probably had least of injury problems on average during seasons.

he does have a big problem in the technical aspect, which does stick out at a club like City where there are huge technician around him.

i can easily see he will be a crucial player for Chelsea both in PL and CL, and lets hope they dont finish above us in the league because that case questions need to be asked lol.

but overall I think its good time to sell as he has not renewed since a long time despite efforts of the club and probably had no intention to continue without guaranteed first 11 game time which Pep had no intention to do.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Would you have not thought it weird if Sergio had not also said his proper goodbyes?

Sterling has been with us seven years and, even at this late stage, it would be nice for him to recap his time and success here.

I'm not saying he won't, but it would be good all the same.

Let's be honest here, he probably doesn't really give a shit.

Sterling always struck me as one of those guys for whom football is mostly just a job. He's been a very good employee but that's where it begins and ends.

 

[loio]

So hes not leaving for the (Chelsea) tour then.. doesn't seem to move today etc.
edit: ok its next week, might get done then

to join their pre-season tour in the US next week.

Edit: nah..

Chelsea will fly to the United States on the 9th July

It will probably be tight and he will join up with them on the tour

 

[PragueBlue]

Rarely get attached to any city players even Fernandinho Zab or even Sergio but the real attachment I have are the ones that come through our youth system SWP was the last one till foden now palmer and Mctear!

So attached that you don't know his name ;-)

 

[suvommukherjee08]

This season we will see probably De Bruyne frequently spamming crosses from the right wing to Haaland , their will be a change in our playing style in the final third I reckon. These fees for Raz,GJ etc will be handy next season if we battle out for Bellingham.
P.S Asensio any good? Available in cheap and got loads of big game experience.

 

[DTKOAG]

Lot of cheering in the tram queue for that one

I think quite a few had reached Piccadilly..

 

[lee_wsm]

Until it’s announced I still have a feeling Raz could have his head turned by one of the Spanish clubs to wait out another year

 

[Agueroooo9320]

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.

you say all that crap. but what about if we buy a replacement for sterling according to your theory. can you guarantee that he will score goals? or he will settle? or make a step up?

 

[The Pandorica Opened]

you say all that crap. but what about if we buy a replacement for sterling according to your theory. can you guarantee that he will score goals? or he will settle? or make a step up?

Of course not, but it adds another layer to the improbability of the goals dipping in numbers.

I don't think we need a Sterling replacement, but his logic is fairly clear and simple.

 

[Chi-town blues]

Huge lose , need a proper right footed winger to replace him.

 

[bobmcfc]

Has BillyShears been on? He spent the last two months telling us Sterling wouldn’t ever bother leaving for “ten more games per season”. He was adamant in fact. I’m starting to think that being on a podcast doesn’t always mean one has more insight.

 

[LucahArchie10]

I can't wait to see him trampling over markers to get to the front post.

Been a long time!

I also think we will be able to defend set pieces even better, just like Kane does for Spuds.

He will be a penalty machine

 

[Mr-Mertle]

Thread's getting a little heated.

 

[Bozo]

Gutted to see Raz go, but wish him all the best. He'll do a great job with Chelsea.

 

[Dobsy]

In no way do you think Grealish can get 200+ goals and assists for us though, that is being delusional and setting yourself up to be disappointed. He literally had less than 50 career goals and was joining us as a 25 year old that spent a large part of his career in lower leagues.

But the reality is that he doesn’t need to have sterling numbers to be an important member of this squad. Grealish can also be a very important member of the team without those numbers.

I meant in one season, which is what I think the other poster meant too.

Agree with you that I can't see him reaching Raz career numbers for us (not impossible, mind you), which reflects how incredible Sterling has been.

 

[MeeBeeGeeBee]

Don't think we need a direct replacement, but if we did, I'd go for Leicester's Harvey Barnes. English, quick, has the potential Pep can develop.

 

[David Silva #21]

Robbery? We got good money(with add ons) considering we'd have gotten nothing had he stayed another year.

I think he could have shone playing along Haaland, like what he did with Aguero

 

[TFC]

All the best to the lad.

 

[bumbleblue]

What are the chances of this “falling through”? Just a gut feeling.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

you say all that crap. but what about if we buy a replacement for sterling according to your theory. can you guarantee that he will score goals? or he will settle? or make a step up?

You refer to it as crap but it's pretty basic stuff mate. The more numbers you have, the more likely you are to avoid those risks. Squad depth is big reason why we have been as successful as we have and the more unknown quantities you have per position, the higher the risk.