Raheem Sterling

[LDN Blue 7,903]

He would get frustrated here though imo. We just don't play good football. Compare the way us and City play. Sterling already on 5 goals. They play in a way to suit him. He is a quality player and like I said in the last page before the season started, he will easily get in to double figures for them. Sanchez on 6, Sterling on 5, KDB already on 3 or so and we got Hazard on none. I know he has not been good but he is suffering becasue of a lack of attacking quality in the team.

I see that point of view and I think it's one shared in a common consensus around here.

However I offer you another theory on why Sterling would've been a success. We saw Pedro's first impact when he played his very first game with us. He was composed, direct and even managed to offer a substantial goal threat. Now Pedro is slightly on the off, maybe he's not adapting to London and the PL as quickly as we hoped. Bare in mind, he's been playing in the same system at Barcelona since he was a kid.. Time is a must.

Sterling, however, didn't need any of this settling in period. He's from London, he's been amongst the big boys in the PL and internationally. We can safely assume he's one of the first names on Roy's team sheet for France '16. He's also a massive threat creatively, something that's costing us a lot this season we can all agree. With Costa spending most of his season suspended or injured and Hazard not firing, it didn't leave us with any genuine creative threats. Enter Sterling. I believe this kid could carry the whole world on his shoulders and still be not be phased on the pitch. That's exactly what we need don't we? We need players to rise above this pessimist feeling around Stamford Bridge and even Cobham. I truly believe, and I hope I'm proven right, Sterling is a world-class player in the making.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

With our style of football, he'll be on par with salah in Chelsea

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Today just proves how high Sterling's ceiling is for ability, his progress at City has been no surprise to anyone who's followed Sterling's development. It's the biggest tragedy he isn't at Chelsea, would've been so influential and our attacking three of Hazard, Costa & Sterling could have seen a much better start to this season than not.

Hindsight, thou are a cold hearted bitch.

Instead we have Pedro who is more and more looking like average player. First game was bang and second was good, but then he turned average...

I think if we gonna stick with Mou, its time to stop bringing some wannabes like Fabregas, Pedro etc and get players who actualy have balls. ligue 1, PL players, top african players etc.

Cant stand that we have defending coach who cant get any decent football with such talented squad and on the other hand players who dont show balls and get the work done.

[LAM09 6,783]

One good game and the hype train starts. Some things will never change.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

One good game and the hype train starts. Some things will never change.

One game? Lmao, have you honestly seen Sterling play all season? How about last season too? I assure you, this isn't a one-game-hype scenario. Whether we care to admit it or not, Sterling is one of the best players of his age in the world.

[Stats 7,059]

One good game and the hype train starts. Some things will never change.

I think you are too bitter to accept you probably will be proven wrong. Yeah, it was Bournemouth but it still is an excellent achievement to get a hattrick in first half against any top flight opposition. His second goal was of the highest quality as well. And if you said it was based on only 1 game you must have been born this season then because he showed his potential from when Suarez was around and was performing for Liverpool at the age of 17. Even if Sterling is inconsistent which he is, that is expected as he is only 20 but he has tremendous qualities and potential to be world class.

But judging by the comments you made on him, you already made your judgement on him so not surprised...

So happy City got him. Overpaid for an average English player.

For £49m (potentially)?!

We dodged a bullet IMO. Happy we stayed clear.

[LAM09 6,783]

I think you are too bitter to accept you probably will be proven wrong. Yeah, it was Bournemouth but it still is an excellent achievement to get a hattrick in first half against any top flight opposition. His second goal was of the highest quality as well. And if you said it was based on only 1 game you must have been born this season then because he showed his potential from when Suarez was around and was performing for Liverpool at the age of 17. Even if Sterling is inconsistent which he is, that is expected as he is only 20 but he has tremendous qualities and potential to be world class.

But judging by the comments you made on him, you already made your judgement on him so not surprised...

Bitter about what?

I don't rate him and won't be doing so until he delivers on a consistent basis. If you watch the chances he fluffs on a weekly basis (he even missed a sitter on Sat), you'll see my opinion is based on his overall contribution over a period of time. That season Liverpool nearly won the title was because Suarez carried them, which he was fortunate to be a part of that.

Age is just a number. Neymar is slightly older, but is 10× the player he is and has done it on all stages.

[Stats 7,059]

Bitter about what?

I don't rate him and won't be doing so until he delivers on a consistent basis. If you watch the chances he fluffs on a weekly basis (he even missed a sitter on Sat), you'll see my opinion is based on his overall contribution over a period of time. That season Liverpool nearly won the title was because Suarez carried them, which he was fortunate to be a part of that.

Age is just a number. Neymar is slightly older, but is 10× the player he is and has done it on all stages.

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.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

One good game and the hype train starts. Some things will never change.

exactly! I have come to accept it now this forum is full of fickle fans

[Billy. 2,742]

I think its safe to say he has had more then one game this season, He is far from the finish article, but the way he is going this season it wont be to long before he could be classed as a world class player.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Unbelievable.. 'fickle fans'. What a joke reply.

Thankfully there are coaches out there who do believe in Sterling. He's one of the most expensive people for his age and he's unphased by it on the pitch. He's in an environment where the only attacking threat isn't him for once so he's afforded a bit of leeway.

[DYC. 7,542]

Unbelievable.. 'fickle fans'. What a joke reply.

Thankfully there are coaches out there who do believe in Sterling. He's one of the most expensive people for his age and he's unphased by it on the pitch. He's in an environment where the only attacking threat isn't him for once so he's afforded a bit of leeway.

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.

[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 2,355]

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 6,783]

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.