Raheem Sterling

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I agree. Raheem has always been a genuine talent for me. I know I can't think of a better 20-year-old winger. His explosiveness, speed, quickness of feet, agility and balance is amazing. I've seen so many defenders failing to overpower him, kind of like with Messi. Then there's his dribbling, his ability to set up chances for his team mates and he's also a decent goal-scorer already. He definitely has what it takes to become a top player in a couple of years.

It will be interesting to see how Stones, Shaw (I have to admit, I'm a fan), Barkley, Ox (ditto), Sterling, Kane (I like him as well) and even the likes of Shelvey and Wilshere develop. England's desperately lacking in world-class players right now.

Smalling though I think is next in line in the fine production of top English CBs. He impressed in 14/15 and he's even better now. Now he's capable of seperating himself from his team mates, playing at a high level even when others are struggling. He's becoming a rock.

And I still love Sturridge. Fantastic player. The constant injuries are such a shame.

Absolutely!

The future England starts coming through, in particular the ones you've named, will be a great boost for the progress of the NT. The hope is, we'll have a competent manager and structure in place for these guys to thrive and bring some pride back to this nation's football.

Completely agree about Smalling too! He's by far one of the most improved players of the last 18 months and he seems to be growing in maturity and ability. Van Gaal actually did him a lot of good by making him captain in the absence of Rooney not too long ago. If Jones can make the same revival then England's defence will be more than competent with guys like Clyne, Smalling, Jones, Stones, Shaw, Bertrand etc all bringing the best out of each other.

Hopefully we see the same maturity in Smalling come to Barkley, Oxlade, Stones and Sturridge/Kane so these guys can start developing the next core.

[zolayes 14,489]

I think the area we might struggle with is the lack of top quality strikers as I think Rooney might decline and Sturridge has injury problems ,, We seem thin on the ground in this department.

[Billy. 2,742]

I think the area we might struggle with is the lack of top quality strikers as I think Rooney might decline and Sturridge has injury problems ,, We seem thin on the ground in this department.

I hope Adam Armstrong can fulfil his potential. He looks a decent striker and has had a decent start to the season on loan at Coventry from Newcastle

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Looked out of his depth once again in the CL

[Reddish-Blue 2,495]

I hope Adam Armstrong can fulfil his potential. He looks a decent striker and has had a decent start to the season on loan at Coventry from Newcastle

I think the area we might struggle with is the lack of top quality strikers as I think Rooney might decline and Sturridge has injury problems ,, We seem thin on the ground in this department.

Armstrong is definitely one to watch, already has 8 goals in 11 games for Coventry and I'm hoping Solanke makes the grade in a few years time

As for England's current strikers, it's time for Walcott & Kane to start forming a partnership and easing the pressure on Rooney

[LAM09 7,043]

Because you made your mind up about him when City bought him and when he plays well you downplay it. He does need to improve on his finishing but that is a work in progress. He still gets into double figures for the season for 2 seasons running and definitely will so again. You stated that the hype was based on 1 game. It was not based on 1 game. Yeah, Suarez carried them but Sterling was also an important contribution as well. Suarez made them look world class. Suarez and Sterling made them even more fearsome. Even last season where he was inconsistent, he still got into double figures and despite his poor finishing at times, he scored some quality goals for them.

The game against us for instance.

Age is just a number and he has accomplished a lot for his age, LOL. Neymar is not even a good comparison. Neymar is 3 years older. We have high hopes for the likes of Boga and Musonda who are nearing 19 yet when Sterling was 17 he was playing in Liverpool's first team. How many 20 year olds do you see starting regularly for any team in the prem let alone for arguably the best team in England right now? Not much.

I think that is naive to judge him as the finished article. If you take everything into consideration, he definitely will become a world class player.

This is probably the first time I've said anything about his performances since he joined City. I made the comment as it has seemingly become a common trend for threads to light up after decent/good performers, but the same doesn't happen when the particular player has bad performances. I have never dismissed his quality, but I just don't rate him as highly as some do around here. He lacks so much to be valued at the fee City were crazy enough to pay, but him being English contributed to it.

It's completely pointless comparing him to Boga and Musonda. Sterling made his debut playing in a side that were struggling to get into Europe, while the players you mentioned have yet to make a first team appearance for us AFAIK. It's a completely different level. Also, I know he isn't the finish article, but he isn't close to being WC IMO. Hype follows all Englishmen.

[Stats 7,142]

This is probably the first time I've said anything about his performances since he joined City. I made the comment as it has seemingly become a common trend for threads to light up after decent/good performers, but the same doesn't happen when the particular player has bad performances. I have never dismissed his quality, but I just don't rate him as highly as some do around here. He lacks so much to be valued at the fee City were crazy enough to pay, but him being English contributed to it.

It's completely pointless comparing him to Boga and Musonda. Sterling made his debut playing in a side that were struggling to get into Europe, while the players you mentioned have yet to make a first team appearance for us AFAIK. It's a completely different level. Also, I know he isn't the finish article, but he isn't close to being WC IMO. Hype follows all Englishmen.

Him also being 20 years of age contributed towards it because they know he can contribute something now and is also a huge long term investment. If you don't rate him as much as others do that is fine but come on, he is 20 and you have to take into consideration that he will improve on his current level of ability. Already at his age he is a regular with England and the best team in England and is playing alongside world class players. That will help him too. He obviously is not world class yet as he is very inconsistent but how many young players are there who actually are consistent?

He might lack some things but he also possesses a lot of things. Excellent dribbler, excellent balance, despite his finishing needing to improve he scores a fair amount of goals every season tbh. And while you are stating he was playing for a team that struggled to get into Europe, let's not forget that at the age of 19 he was part of the team that finished above us and so nearly won the league. Yes, Suarez was the main cause but he was excellent that season.

There are probably players you rate around the age of 25 or 26 who probably were as inconsistent as Sterling was if not more at the same age. And yeah, the thread might get overhyped when he scores. I don't remember anyone actually coming here and posting anything when he scored against Watford or Sunderland because they were nothing great about it. However scoring a hattrick in one half is an excellent achievement and people naturally praised him for it.

[Stats 7,142]

Looked out of his depth once again in the CL

Not tonight. Been their best player by far.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Not tonight. Been their best player by far.

so what? do it consistently anyone can have a one off good game

[Stats 7,142]

so what? do it consistently anyone can have a one off good game

Well tonight he has shown that he can do it on big occassions and perform in the UCL. This is an important game and he has been excellent. Not good. Excellent.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Well tonight he has shown that he can do it on big occassions and perform in the UCL. This is an important game and he has been excellent. Not good. Excellent.

Don't know why you bother lol, as long as Sterling is English he'll be bother under and overrated.. Shame there's no middle ground to appreciate the talent he already has. Meh.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Well tonight he has shown that he can do it on big occassions and perform in the UCL. This is an important game and he has been excellent. Not good. Excellent.

David Bentley once showed he could do it on a big occasion when he scored at hat-trick against Man United, as i said do it consistently if you are the real deal.

[Stats 7,142]

David Bentley once showed he could do it on a big occasion when he scored at hat-trick against Man United, as i said do it consistently if you are the real deal.

Has Hazard always done it on the big occasion? Sterling is 20. Give him a rest.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Has Hazard always done it on the big occasion? Sterling is 20. Give him a rest.

Hazard has done it countless times on the big occasion, and what do you mean give it a rest you quoted me, your acting like i dont think Sterling has a lot potential.

[Stats 7,142]

Hazard has done it countless times on the big occasion, and what do you mean give it a rest you quoted me, your acting like i dont think Sterling has a lot potential.

Because you said he needs to do it more. There are loads of "big occasions" where Sterling abeen excellent. I just pointed out that he was excellent tonight contrary to his other UCL performances where he has been rather average. Too see a young English player perform that good is always good to see.