Raheem Sterling

[RhesusReus 219]

Keepers have different standards to be judged on than outfield players. And even if you really think Ozil, Mata and whoever else is better than Sterling that fact is all of those players are in their prime years and Sterling is even close to scratching the surface. Is this lost on you? And btw I don't believe Mata or Ozil are better than Sterling... Not in the least.

But Sterling is not judged on current ability. It's all potential. All his flaws are forgiven because he's 20. Only his strong suits are highlighted and the weaknesses? well, he'll have that sorted when he's 25.

On current form, as is, Ozil, a World Cup winner and a La Liga Champion at Real Madrid, is light years ahead of Sterling. And Juan Mata is in another league technically.

But we are not talking in those terms. We are bringing in Sterling's potential into the equation, in a dream scenario where he's ironed out all his flaws and is ready to go. Because if we were talking about current form, he's not even the best Liverpool player.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

what does that have to do with converting chances? Does Hazard 1v1 vs a keeper and failing to convert mean that's because he's not a "fucking freak of nature"? No. Finishing has nothing to do with being a freak of nature. It's simply a skill.

Arjen Robben scored 17 goals in 21 games. On average he plays about 22 games a season at Bayern. But his goals to game ratio is pretty high, much higher than Hazard.

Defenses don't pay attention to players when the park the bus. It's simply that, parking the bus, taking away space.

It sounds really cool in your head to have two tricky players out wide, but that's only fun for a game or two, but soon the actually football starts, where creating clear cut chances and converting them is all that matters.

What? have you ever heard of composure? some possess it others don't or what about decision making? Accuracy? are these things that don't come into play? you think that because a player is 1v1 he should finish like Ronaldo or Messi? lol....

Yes and with Arjen and his high goals to games ratio is his inconsistent playing time due to injuries. The fact is what does it matter if he can score 30 a season when he can only physically play for half of it?

And who are these incredible finishers on the wing(who score more than Hazard's 15) we should be after?

[Oscar 441]

Would love to see that list you come up with... just for shits and giggles of course.

Silva

Aguero

Toure

Dzeko

Bony

RVP

Rooney

DI Maria

Hazard

Costa

Cesc

Oscar

Matic

Willian

Coutinho

Sanchez

Ozil

Santi

Ramsey

Jack

Ox

Giroud

Ericksen

Kane

no defenders/goalies

top 10 dribbler? most definitely.

top 10 player? don't think so

[RhesusReus 219]

What? have you ever heard of composure? some possess it others don't or what about decision making? Accuracy? are these things that don't come into play? you think that because a player is 1v1 he should finish like Ronaldo or Messi? lol....

Yes and with Arjen and his high goals to games ratio is his inconsistent playing time due to injuries. The fact is what does it matter if he can score 30 a season when he can only physically play for half of it?

And who are these incredible finishers on the wing(who score more than Hazard's 15) we should be after?

Having composure, good decision making, and accuracy = "fucking freak of nature"?

Sergio Aguero is deadly. Diego Costa is deadly. Remy is deadly.

None of them are freaks of nature. It's a skill, that either comes naturally, or can be honed over the years.

And if you don't believe it can, then WTF are we arguing about? Why would we sign Sterling if he can never learn composure, good decision making, and accuary? why are we signing a shoddy player that is doomed to never finish consistently?

As for players who we can sign, Reus is the dream, the only winger I'd spend 40-50m on. He could get 20 goals.

But if we aren't going to spend that much, then I'd rather settle for a winger that can help retain possession and see out games more comfortablly, ala Turan.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

But Sterling is not judged on current ability. It's all potential. All his flaws are forgiven because he's 20. Only his strong suits are highlighted and the weaknesses? well, he'll have that sorted when he's 25.

On current form, as is, Ozil, a World Cup winner and a La Liga Champion at Real Madrid, is light years ahead of Sterling. And Juan Mata is in another league technically.

But we are not talking in those terms. We are bringing in Sterling's potential into the equation, in a dream scenario where he's ironed out all his flaws and is ready to go. Because if we were talking about current form, he's not even the best Liverpool player.

I think Sterling is judged on BOTH criteria's current ability AND potential. He scored 7 goals (more than Ozil, DiMaria, Cesc) and 7 assists( same as Silva but more than Ozil, Mata)

Ozil must've won those titles on his own...

you are funny.

[RhesusReus 219]

I think Sterling is judged on BOTH criteria's current ability AND potential. He scored 7 goals (more than Ozil, DiMaria, Cesc) and 7 assists( same as Silva but more than Ozil, Mata)

Ozil must've won those titles on his own...

you are funny.

Ozil missed half the season. Mata was in and out of the team. Meanwhile, Sterling was the focal point of everything Liverpool tried to do. He played as a winger and as a striker, so comparing his goal scoring to Cesc is reaching, and also not Cesc's strong suit.

No, Ozil didn't win it on his own, but he was a big part of that team. Stop trying to belittle one player's achievement to make your preferred player look better.

Ozil is an incredible player, and if he had a proper manager unlike Wenger, he wouldn't be playing on the wings like he has been.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Having composure, good decision making, and accuracy = "fucking freak of nature"?

Sergio Aguero is deadly. Diego Costa is deadly. Remy is deadly.

None of them are freaks of nature. It's a skill, that either comes naturally, or can be honed over the years.

And if you don't believe it can, then WTF are we arguing about? Why would we sign Sterling if he can never learn composure, good decision making, and accuary? why are we signing a shoddy player that is doomed to never finish consistently?

As for players who we can sign, Reus is the dream, the only winger I'd spend 40-50m on. He could get 20 goals.

But if we aren't going to spend that much, then I'd rather settle for a winger that can help retain possession and see out games more comfortablly, ala Turan.

I'd buy a shirt with Reus on the back if we brought him. God, I can dream...

[LDN Blue 7,903]

People like to talk about Sterling like he's reached the prime of his career and is ready to compete with established world-beaters. Of course he's not top10 yet, but as someone said, he's knocking on the door at the age of 20!

If he was Spanish or Brazilian..

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Ozil missed half the season. Mata was in and out of the team. Meanwhile, Sterling was the focal point of everything Liverpool tried to do. He played as a winger and as a striker, so comparing his goal scoring to Cesc is reaching, and also not Cesc's strong suit.

No, Ozil didn't win it on his own, but he was a big part of that team. Stop trying to belittle one player's achievement to make your preferred player look better.

Ozil is an incredible player, and if he had a proper manager unlike Wenger, he wouldn't be playing on the wings like he has been.

Ozil was subbed out of every game in the world cup. And much like Cesc isn't a goal scorer, Sterling isn't a Striker, he played there because his manager is a moron. Can played CB and Sterling played WB too.

And this isn't belittling you at all. For every argument you present against Sterling there will always be a rebuttal, why? because many people see his skill and potential. At 20 he is already one of the best players in the Prem and possesses the physical tools to get even better if surrounded by a winning mentality and better players. My opinion and really not hard to see why.

[cfcs most wanted 657]

Ozil was subbed out of every game in the world cup. And much like Cesc isn't a goal scorer, Sterling isn't a Striker, he played there because his manager is a moron. Can played CB and Sterling played WB too.

And this isn't belittling you at all. For every argument you present against Sterling there will always be a rebuttal, why? because many people see his skill and potential. At 20 he is already one of the best players in the Prem and possesses the physical tools to get even better if surrounded by a winning mentality and better players. My opinion and really not hard to see why.

It was actually a wise move moving Sterling to striker's position

[Polo7 3,496]

People like to talk about Sterling like he's reached the prime of his career and is ready to compete with established world-beaters. Of course he's not top10 yet, but as someone said, he's knocking on the door at the age of 20!

If he was Spanish or Brazilian..

Agree. Oscar isnt as effective yet he has his own little cult on these forums.

[Oscar 441]

People like to talk about Sterling like he's reached the prime of his career and is ready to compete with established world-beaters. Of course he's not top10 yet, but as someone said, he's knocking on the door at the age of 20!

If he was Spanish or Brazilian..

but he's english, which means you are world class by the age of 20 and the next best thing in the world.

[JaKstone 307]

No news? Feck 2 pages thought the rumours are spreading..

[RhesusReus 219]

Ozil was subbed out of every game in the world cup. And much like Cesc isn't a goal scorer, Sterling isn't a Striker, he played there because his manager is a moron. Can played CB and Sterling played WB too.

And this isn't belittling you at all. For every argument you present against Sterling there will always be a rebuttal, why? because many people see his skill and potential. At 20 he is already one of the best players in the Prem and possesses the physical tools to get even better if surrounded by a winning mentality and better players. My opinion and really not hard to see why.

So, going by stats:

Oscar : 6 goals ; 8 assists = 14 --- 2038 minutes

Raheem S: 7 goals ; 7 assists = 14 --- 3053 minutes

Juan Mata: 9 goals ; 4 assists = 13 --- 2309 minutes

Ch Eriksen: 10 goals; 2 assists = 12--- 3141 minutes

Mesut Ozil: 4 goals ; 5 assists = 9 ----- 1860 minutes

On current form, is Sterling really better than these players?

Mata is far more productive, even when he's in and out of the team and played everywhere on the pitch except his preferred position, which when he did for us, he was a stats machine.

And Sterling's productivity is on par with Eriksen, who no one would pay 50m for, even thou he's only 23.

And Ozil shows his class.

And just for those who brought up "the cult of Oscar" (Polo7), feast your eyes on those stats. 6 goals and 8 assists! That's like, wow! That's like Raheem Sterling numbers! In like 1000 less minutes! So like, wow! 50m!!!!!

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Agree. Oscar isnt as effective yet he has his own little cult on these forums.

That's what I don't get. Here's a player with more promise and potential, with time on his side. I don't think any football fan can truly disagree that under Mourinho Sterling can become one of the greats.

but he's english, which means you are world class by the age of 20 and the next best thing in the world.

This is the problem with the perception of English players. Are they mostly over exaggerated and overpriced? Yeah, that's just a cultural problem in this country of thinking England is better than they are, so mediocrity gets more praise.

But as I've said before, it's a double edged sword because it also holds back people from truly seeing a gifted, talented player when they see it.