Sterling’s contract - three year extension confirmed

[mccity]

Again - calm down.

I honestly think that Sterling is on the cusp of Balon Dior consideration.

Holding him back - for me is simply confidence. Less so on our side for sure. But performances in the national side too count for that.

Southgate doesn't trust Sterling as much as does Pep it seems.
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If you think that Sterling's current play is perfect - the best he could achieve - well then, I respectfully disagree with you - Sterling has it in him to increase his game even more.

And it's not innate ability that's holding him back - it's lack of confidence.

I think, in isolation, this is a very accurate post.

He's definitely got work to do, the sky's the limit though. His rate of improvement over the last 2 years has been incredible.

It's definitely a confidence issue too. He was incredibly conservative for a while after Pep first showed up but over his tenure he's ever increasingly upped his dribbling, shooting and through ball attempts to attest to this. His decision making at one point was SOOO risk averse, which is indicative of nervousness, even if only a tiny amount.

As others have been very keen to point out, the England setup and media have ground him down, he had a habit of struggling for a game or two after international duty as a result. BUT it's a thing at City too. In fact, this is probably the first time since he's been here that he's been universally praised at club level from all corners. So I assume his confidence is only going to skyrocket further, which is fantastic.

He's Pep's little project. And I wouldn't be surprised if by the time he leaves Raheem Sterling is the player people CLAIM Eden Hazard to be.

 

[chedinho]

Just goes to show Peps eye for a player. He’s turned Sterling from Aaron Lennon to a world beater.

That’s a pretty fair assessment.

 

[asahartford1]

That’s a pretty fair assessment.

It would have been a miracle to turn Lennon into a world beater-:)

 

[asaluttar]

I think, in isolation, this is a very accurate post.

He's definitely got work to do, the sky's the limit though. His rate of improvement over the last 2 years has been incredible.

It's definitely a confidence issue too. He was incredibly conservative for a while after Pep first showed up but over his tenure he's ever increasingly upped his dribbling, shooting and through ball attempts to attest to this. His decision making at one point was SOOO risk averse, which is indicative of nervousness, even if only a tiny amount.

As others have been very keen to point out, the England setup and media have ground him down, he had a habit of struggling for a game or two after international duty as a result. BUT it's a thing at City too. In fact, this is probably the first time since he's been here that he's been universally praised at club level from all corners. So I assume his confidence is only going to skyrocket further, which is fantastic.

He's Pep's little project. And I wouldn't be surprised if by the time he leaves Raheem Sterling is the player people CLAIM Eden Hazard to be.

I think he could potentially be as good as Hazard in attack but with far better work rate and tracking back, a deadly combination

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

It would have been a miracle to turn Lennon into a world beater-:)

I disagree. He could have been a Starr.

 

[mccity]

I think he could potentially be as good as Hazard in attack but with far better work rate and tracking back, a deadly combination

I actually think he could be better! Although I won't complain if you're right :)

 

[BertTrautmann'sParachute]

Great news.

 

[Henkeman]

I'd have thought one of the main reasons for the difference between him at City and him with England is that he plays mostly as a winger for City, and mostly as a number 10 for England. I'm not actually sure how he is supposed to replicate his City form given that.

As it happens, he's probably the best player England have for the role he's in, but it doesn't alter the fact he's playing a different position to at City.

Of course he can improve. His finishing can get better, as can his decision making. And the beauty of it is, he probably will.

 

[Silva&Silva]

I'd have thought one of the main reasons for the difference between him at City and him with England is that he plays mostly as a winger for City, and mostly as a number 10 for England. I'm not actually sure how he is supposed to replicate his City form given that.

As it happens, he's probably the best player England have for the role he's in, but it doesn't alter the fact he's playing a different position to at City.

Of course he can improve. His finishing can get better, as can his decision making. And the beauty of it is, he probably will.

Can't help but feel like how ever much he improves in the future most people will always talk about him with a certain disregard to his ability. He scored 18 goals in statistically the best side in PL history last season and he's still no where near to getting the credit he deserves.

 

[Henkeman]

Can't help but feel like how ever much he improves in the future most people will always talk about him with a certain disregard to his ability. He scored 18 goals in statistically the best side in PL history last season and he's still no where near to getting the credit he deserves.

Totally agree. But the "why doesn't he play for England like he does for City" brigade on Twitter do nothing but betray they have no clue about tactics or formations. He isn't playing the same role - he's most unlikely to skin the full back time and again!