I have never rated him, that is clear. 

A greater problem is many players who start their careers at the top level so early fizzle out early as well. Sterling was not much older than Rooney when he started out at the top.

What's incredible is we had cucurella at CB who then cost us a goal and he still wasn't our worst player. Sterling was atrocious, I hope it's just pre-season rust but he's been awful both games now in a continuation of last season's form.

30 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

What's incredible is we had cucurella at CB who then cost us a goal and he still wasn't our worst player. Sterling was atrocious, I hope it's just pre-season rust but he's been awful both games now in a continuation of last season's form.

Happens to players who start early. 15 his debut for Championship QPR. Look at Rooney. He is cooked at the top level.

My guess is Sterling still has a lot to offer. It’s gunna be hard for him because unless Mudryk gets injured Sterling will be wide right. 

Yep, he's not a young 28 year old. Fabregas is another good example. Premier League is brutal and will catch up to you. If Modric stayed at Spurs he would've been done at 33.

He gets in so many good positions, but the lack of any real end product (goal or meaningful pass/cross) is frustrating.  Deserves more time to integrate and discover better form, and its likely he will start PL season given his experience.  Saying that, by 2024 I do not think he'll be a regular starter as the younger players just bring someone different and refreshing.

48 minutes ago, I am a CPA said:

Yep, he's not a young 28 year old. Fabregas is another good example. Premier League is brutal and will catch up to you. If Modric stayed at Spurs he would've been done at 33.

Didn't Fabregas have over 300 appearances by the age of 24? That is a lot, his legs were already gone by the time we signd him but he was so good at reading the game that we still got so much brilliance out of him.

Sterling had around 250 at the same age, which is also a lot. 

I think it depends on the type of footballer you are. Players that are very mobile and do a lot of running seem to struggle the most when they play so much at a young age. Fabregas was a decent runner at one point, Sterling is a winger so naturally he's going to do a lot of running. Another one I think will struggle by his late 20's is Mount. He already has 281 appearances.

2 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Happens to players who start early. 15 his debut for Championship QPR. Look at Rooney. He is cooked at the top level.

He never played a professional game for QPR. His first professional appearance was for Liverpool at 17. 

1 hour ago, STATS said:

He never played a professional game for QPR. His first professional appearance was for Liverpool at 17. 

Fair enough. Still very early to be in at a big team.

5 hours ago, ozboy said:

My guess is Sterling still has a lot to offer. It’s gunna be hard for him because unless Mudryk gets injured Sterling will be wide right. 

No way would I be playing Sterling ahead of Noni. And I hope Pochettino reaches the same conclusion. Madueke has looked the better player in every facet of the game IMO. Better at dribbling, better with a final ball, and certainly better defensively.

Unfortunately I fear Sterling is going to be in the starting XI purely because of his age and experience.

I wouldn't start Sterling ,can't dribble , can't control the ball ,can't get past anyone , can't cross, agreed does get in good positions but

is that enough ? Not for me .

Needs to really get his head in the game now was poor last night, very frustrating watching him. I am sure he knows this is not enough for a player his calibre.

Somebody give him a "how to speak Arabic" book. 

Was shocking last night. Runs into players in an attempt to beat them and the opposition runs off with the ball. Happened over and over last night. Useless. 

12 minutes ago, hawkster said:

I wouldn't start Sterling ,can't dribble , can't control the ball ,can't get past anyone , can't cross, agreed does get in good positions but

is that enough ? Not for me .

The scary thing is these are the basics, and has little to nothing to do with the physicality/fitness issues you might expect if the problem was the wear and tear of the PL. Continue this form, and he’ll be behind Madueke, Mudryk and anyone else we might sign as a wide attacker

As it stands he’ll probably play quite a bit due to a lack of competition and experience, but I’m guessing he’ll be gone next summer unless his form dramatically picks up

Its pre-season though, if he bangs in a couple against Liverpool no one cares how he did in a couple of friendlies against Wrexham and Brighton

This might explain the interest in the A**x lad. If we don’t get any more forwards, I’d treat Sterling as a sub, to stick him up top to grab a poachers goal later in games.

Getting into goal scoring positions is about his only strength left.

Edited July 23, 20232 yr by Adamrb

2 hours ago, just said:

No way would I be playing Sterling ahead of Noni. And I hope Pochettino reaches the same conclusion. Madueke has looked the better player in every facet of the game IMO. Better at dribbling, better with a final ball, and certainly better defensively.

Unfortunately I fear Sterling is going to be in the starting XI purely because of his age and experience.

Better with the final ball? Granted Sterling rarely gets it right  lately but Noni hardly produced a serious chance. There is a reason he ended the U-21 Euros without a single assist. Noni is a great dribbler and a fast player but in this area he's got a lot of work to do. 

Angelo Gabriel looks far more composed and precise with his passing. But it' s only been 2 games so we'll see.

10 minutes ago, NestorGarde said:

Better with the final ball? Granted Sterling rarely gets it right  lately but Noni hardly produced a serious chance. There is a reason he ended the U-21 Euros without a single assist. Noni is a great dribbler and a fast player but in this area he's got a lot of work to do. 

Angelo Gabriel looks far more composed and precise with his passing. But it' s only been 2 games so we'll see.

Yeah, that's a fair point Nestor. He can certainly improve in terms of actually picking a team mate out with the final pass. But I think he gets the ball across and into the danger area more often. Sterling usually either gives it straight to the nearest defender or takes an extra touch and delays the pass.

Sterling is the most senior player in this squad when it comes to the Premier League. He really needs to get his act together this season, because another piss poor season from him and everyone will want him out the door. He'll be a finished article without a doubt and can kiss his England career goodbye for good, he needs to prove to everyone he's still an elite player. 

Like many on here, I always found Sterling frustrating and overrated, but he's still a good player. If he has another sh*t season though, I'm wanting him gone asap. 

There were a few instances last night when Gallagher linked up well with Mudryk and Jackson and I could see Sterling doing a job there, playing in the half space on the left. If we get a work permit for Angelo or sign Kudus I really don't see a place for him on the right flank.

 Another poor performance from him, and poor is being generous. Never saw the point in him. Also i don't adhere to the point of needing his 'experience' other than being one of the oldest players, he brings nothing to the game. The only way to get rid is if the saudis are interested.

 

Is Sterling a bad player, nope, he can do more with ball at his feet than most of those on here knocking him down. His career has been tip top so just leaving his statistics here. 

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/raheem-sterling/leistungsdaten/spieler/134425

Controversial statement, he aint as beautiful to watch as Eden Hazard, but he's been far more successful and effective over his career to date than the Belgian. 

If Pochettino can get him tuned into his system, he will do very well for us. Fingers crossed for him.

 

I think the moment which summed him up last night was when we tried to build out from the back, we played a few 1-2s I think with a defender and Gallagher and then it went to Sterling and he literally just stood there with the ball at his feet doing nothing and was then tackled. He has no brain.

I hope we don't push Angelo Gabriel out on loan to keep Sterling in our plans.

If Gabriel cannot get a work permit fair enough but he has a lot more top flight games than Santos so stands a good chance.

At the moment our 4 wide players looke like Mudryk, Sterling, Noni and Gabriel. If we sign that Kudus player from they who shall not be named on this forum where does he fit in?

Always tries to beat 1 player too many!