Reds winger Raheem Sterling put in another excellent performance against Ar5enal at the weekend, and Anfield legend John Aldridge believes the youngster rise to prominence has saved Liverpool tens of millions in transfer fees.
Speaking to 5-Times, Aldo praised Sterling for recovering his form after the 'downer' of last season, and enthused:
"As things stand, he [Sterling] is like a new £20 million signing.
"He is going to be a star. He’s at his brilliant devastating best and the pace he has shown again, he’s running past people like Linford Christie!"
Sterling's form over the last few months is excellent, and unlike last season, he is offering consistent end product in the form of goals/assists:
* 6 goals/3 assists in 24 apps.
* Goal/Assist every 2.6 apps.
Not bad at all for a 19-year old, and things can only get better as Sterling gains more experience.
A few months ago, Anfield legend John Barnes argued that the LFC hierarchy had 'overpraised' Sterling to the extent it had a negative impact on his form. Discussing LFC's young players on the 5-Times Podcast, Barnes bemoaned the modern trend of overpraising players 'when they haven't achieved anything', and suggested that Sterling needed to work harder to improve. He observed:
"He [Sterling] wasn’t handled right by anyone. He had 7-8 good games and was then catapulted into the England set-up. His Agent then wanted more money [and] maybe he feels that because he’s being paid so much he doesn’t need to improve. We’re guilty for overpraising him"
Sterling has clearly worked hard to improve, but it seems like the counter-productive overpraise is creeping back in again. As well as Aldo, Brendan Rodgers yesterday hailed Sterling as the 'best winger in the league', and in recent weeks, he's also claimed that he's:
* One of the strongest player he's ever seen.
* One of the most 'tactically gifted' players he's ever worked with.
I don't know about anyone else, but, to me, these mini-eulogies seem like unnecessary overstatements. Why can't Rodgers et al just let Sterling get on with maintaining his form without constantly proclaiming he's the 'best', etc. If Sterling really is the best winger in the league, then it may lead to him thinking that he's arrived, and doesn't need to improve any more, which is what (arguably) happened last season.
How can someone be the 'best' at 19 years old? Where does a player go from there if he's already the best?!
Sterling still has a long way to go. He's in a purple patch of form at the moment, but he needs to maintain consistent form over a couple of seasons at least, not just 3-4 months.
It's possibly true, though, that Sterling has saved the club big bucks on transfers, but that only remains the case as long as he's contributing to the team.
If LFC put Sterling up for sale today, how much (realistically) would he go for?
Author: Jaimie K
Speaking to 5-Times, Aldo praised Sterling for recovering his form after the 'downer' of last season, and enthused:
"As things stand, he [Sterling] is like a new £20 million signing.
"He is going to be a star. He’s at his brilliant devastating best and the pace he has shown again, he’s running past people like Linford Christie!"
Sterling's form over the last few months is excellent, and unlike last season, he is offering consistent end product in the form of goals/assists:
* 6 goals/3 assists in 24 apps.
* Goal/Assist every 2.6 apps.
Not bad at all for a 19-year old, and things can only get better as Sterling gains more experience.
A few months ago, Anfield legend John Barnes argued that the LFC hierarchy had 'overpraised' Sterling to the extent it had a negative impact on his form. Discussing LFC's young players on the 5-Times Podcast, Barnes bemoaned the modern trend of overpraising players 'when they haven't achieved anything', and suggested that Sterling needed to work harder to improve. He observed:
"He [Sterling] wasn’t handled right by anyone. He had 7-8 good games and was then catapulted into the England set-up. His Agent then wanted more money [and] maybe he feels that because he’s being paid so much he doesn’t need to improve. We’re guilty for overpraising him"
Sterling has clearly worked hard to improve, but it seems like the counter-productive overpraise is creeping back in again. As well as Aldo, Brendan Rodgers yesterday hailed Sterling as the 'best winger in the league', and in recent weeks, he's also claimed that he's:
* One of the strongest player he's ever seen.
* One of the most 'tactically gifted' players he's ever worked with.
I don't know about anyone else, but, to me, these mini-eulogies seem like unnecessary overstatements. Why can't Rodgers et al just let Sterling get on with maintaining his form without constantly proclaiming he's the 'best', etc. If Sterling really is the best winger in the league, then it may lead to him thinking that he's arrived, and doesn't need to improve any more, which is what (arguably) happened last season.
How can someone be the 'best' at 19 years old? Where does a player go from there if he's already the best?!
Sterling still has a long way to go. He's in a purple patch of form at the moment, but he needs to maintain consistent form over a couple of seasons at least, not just 3-4 months.
It's possibly true, though, that Sterling has saved the club big bucks on transfers, but that only remains the case as long as he's contributing to the team.
If LFC put Sterling up for sale today, how much (realistically) would he go for?
Author: Jaimie K
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ReplyDeleteHe has improved remarkably from last season. Rodgers taking him out of the lime light seems to have worked wonders for him.
ReplyDeleteHe is a long way off being the best in his position, but he has the qualities and potential to be near the top.
'One of strongest players he's ever seen' LOL! Yea ok then.
I had valued him at 30 mil, being that he is young, has incredible speed, and average ball control. He is a nightmare for any high-line defense. He can only get better and would love to see him play in the CL.
ReplyDeleteHa ha. You not going to get rid of me that easily ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe mail is pretty slow here, and the day 'aint over yet ;-)
ReplyDeleteMaybe Rodgers is just building the lad up and giving him some confidence and self belief? Didn't Sterling admit that he felt a little over awed by Suarez, Gerrard and co.' Aim for the stars and you may reach the ceiling,aim for the ceiling and you may not get off the ground', as Shanks once said! What about Wenger claiming they had an accident at Anfield? In the scale of accidents I guess it was eleven road kills!! Sure hope he has his crash test dummies prepared for the weekend? I have to say it's the first time i've ever seen a manager imitate their own player, did anyone see Wenger do the Ozil flop when he landed on his arse at lime st station?!LOL... Unconfirmed reports say that he's in hospital beside Frank Ribery with burst buttocks!!!
ReplyDelete£20m easy.
ReplyDeleteJamie Brendon has just found out he has a " real talent with undoubted quality he is impressed with ithe ntensity and speed of his game" who could this be ?, why it's Joao Carlos Texiera - who'd av thunk.
ReplyDeleteWell I put a tenner on at 1000/1 that he'd win the balon d'or during his career. For me, Sterling has a style and therefore can do things that few others can. It is this quality that stands him apart. His pace is a blessing, but his ability to take touches quicker than your average player that stands him apart. Messi, Hazard, Isco and of course Ronaldo have this ability also. I expect big things from Sterling. Value today. I reckon an easy £30m.
ReplyDeleteLet us give credit where it is due - Rafa Benitez is the reason we have the great young players we have now.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why Peter Gulacsi ever went, he is still playing second fiddle in Germany.
ReplyDeleteYeah if only that will happen… Wouldn't mind Costa either...
ReplyDeleteYeah it feels like a new signing, if he only could be better at shooting and final third at times... But overall a spectacular progression hes made.
ReplyDeleteYeah I agree that Rodgers overpraises some players. Sterling will be the best winger in the league in the future...and we will have big clubs wanting him. But saying he is the best right now is ridiculous. Hazard is the best winger hands down. I'm a huge fan of Sterling. I enjoyed seeing him play last year, and especially liked seeing him help the team with a goal or assists...cause honestly some of those games...If he made the slightest mistake..he got abused badly lol mainly by Suarez. He was only 18 with no league experience and got thrown in the deep end. But now it's changed. He's earning respect from the fans and his teammates and everyone can see how much potential he has. So good seeing these younger players starting to step up. Flanagan was only a couple of games in and he already started playing better than Johnson. Henderson and Coutinho improving every game too. You see United with so many old players... and so dysfunctional . And here we are with 19 and 20 year olds ripping up Arsenal. It is no longer the SAS. Its the SSS now. In Brendan We Trust.
ReplyDeleteFrom the gif it is Chico Flores who is grabbing Carroll's neck while top of him; which can also be construed as intent. Even the officials at PMO do not get the free pass that football refs do.
ReplyDeleteSterling is in good form right now. I would like to see his consistency over a certain period of time like 1 complete season to tell if he is really a great player.
ReplyDelete1920's was a completely different era for USA though. Everyone was getting rich!!
ReplyDeleteSterling talent wise at his age can be classified as one of the best wingers in the EPL right now. Lennon, Downing, Moses and Adam Johnson and not even Navas are looking as good as Sterling.
ReplyDeleteYes, if you are talking about end product, only Hazard is better.
ReplyDeleteHazard is 4 years older than Sterling and has played almost 300 matches at first team level. Sterling has played 46.
ReplyDeleteAt the rate Sterling is improving his game will see him leave everyone behind plus his versatility is something not many other attacking players can brag about.
This would be a nightmare. As a keeper the jump in pace of play would be far too great for him to acclimatize in any reasonable amount of time. Especially if he's viewed as a backup/replacement for Mignolet. It's fine and dandy to be a good shot stopper but the learning curve would be too steep in the near-term.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't Dalglish keep his big nose out of others teams business, it as nothing to do with him at all
ReplyDeleteOMG!! Ok, maybe Ronaldo is better?
ReplyDeleteHe has column inches to fill simple as that
ReplyDeleteOf course he is but there is no reason why Sterling cannot become as good...
ReplyDeleteI thought Rodgers said he was the best winger in England referring to the national team rather than the prem. Personally I can't really say that whatever Rodgers is doing with Sterling is wrong because it is working. I remember someone slating Rodgers for playing Sterling a while ago against Norwich because he had been so bad against Hull. I think this overpraise thing came up then too. But he got a goal against Norwich and has since been one of our standout performers. Perhaps he needed that goal for confidence, perhaps talking up his abilities and maintaining that confidence is actually productive. Who knows. Like I say far be it for any of us to question Rodgers on how best to get Sterling playing as he has shown he already knows how.
ReplyDeleteJaimie you are misquoting is it intentional? Rodgers said pound for pond Sterling was the strongest player he had seen and I am pretty sure he was talking about the best winger for England rather than in the league. Neither of these things are as grand as the statements you say he made.
ReplyDeleteRaheem is English & that really shoots up price in EPL. It's really difficult to estimate price of a quality English attacker, because there so few of them (even donkeys are bought for 35mn, for being English). I think, in last 20 years, I have seen only 2 English kids better than him at 18 - Owen & Rooney. Roo was sold for 18mn (I think at 18), 10 years back & after 2001-02 season, at present value Michel could have been priced 50-55mn.
ReplyDeleteWith the age, potential & passport, I think MU might offer 25mn (may pay 30mn) for him, because Moyes needs to overhaul his squad, badly needs wingers & 'll hardly get anyone from outside UK. & MU 'll be without CL (even Europa). However, if he keeps learning, improves his physique & fitness & keeps himself out of off-field issues, by 23 he could be a 50mn player.
Last valuation of the squad that I read valued MU squad much higher than LFC. I think, LFC squad is really under rated for the fantastic work done by BR in transfer market & academy. I can't assume actually what could be the selling price of Sterling, Sturridge, Suarez, Coutinho, Henderson, Flanaghan, Kelly or Mignolet could be after this season.
Right. What ever Rodgers is saying to Sterling right now, it's certainly not counter productive!
ReplyDeleteSteve McManaman, best dribbler of a football I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteExactly and it is not as if there was not off field issues that may have affected Sterling's form when it dipped or perhaps just his age. Whatever it was he now looks much better than he ever seemed to be then so continue as is I say.
ReplyDeletethink that was his manger saying that not him.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness to you Jaimie I have Just read the two articles and the pound for pound thing was a caveat and the England (national) team thing may have been me reading in to it as Rodgers mentions Chamberlain instead of Cazorla say. So not misquoting Jaimie soz.
ReplyDeleteAre you Teiera's agent or something?
ReplyDeleteHe added a caveat saying pound for pound he was as strong as anyone. In fairness for his size and even for a lad bigger he is very strong on the ball and really hard to get off it. He uses his center of gravity well.
ReplyDeleteWon't get any votes for this (well not positive ones anyway) but George Best
ReplyDeleteHe coud be the next Stewart Downing
ReplyDeleteI don't know why everyone dislikes Borini, he has great attacking positioning and has been Sunderland's best player this season. The only reason he hasn't scored a lot for Liverpool yet is because people don't pass him the ball!
ReplyDeleteGave you a positive vote ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't think he's been Sunderland's best player. I think Ki has been so far and Johnson will probably overtake him if he keeps up this form.
ReplyDeleteHe has been good though, and his positioning is excellent. I really thought he'd be a big hit if he played in front of Suarez when we signed him, but alas, it didn't happen/
You do get odd cases of good 'keepers getting quite old before they get a game. Obviously in this instance it is more concerning considering the level he is playing at.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing against Borini. I think he's a good lad, but I just don't think he is an effective back-up striker for Liverpool... The type of football we play does not seem to suit him IMO. Who knows, maybe next season things may turn around for him.
ReplyDeletehe is very strong. we can all see that. I think the area he needs work is just with his confidence. I can do this to players at the junior level and I can do the same at the senior level. He just needs some confidence boosting. Love to see him run at defenders. In fact I love seeing aggressive dribbling across the front.
ReplyDeleteSteady . . . Brendan!!
ReplyDeleteIf we could just secure a pacey outside back to play on his side could replicate the strong combo of lennon and bale from yrs prior. would like to see a move for someone. I don't think Johnson has it in him to blaze down the sides any more seems. I'd say go put the money at left or right back.
ReplyDeleteThis article is just as disgraceful as the act (s). I can't believe of all clubs out there you can comment on flores play acting. You have the king of acting in Suarez. Most of us Jacks don't agree with acting however chico didn't dive admittedly he went done like a sack. There was impact and he made the most of it as the ref wasn't giving him much protection from the over physicality of the hammers front line. Carroll knew where chico was he didn't need to lift his arms and spin round with out reached arms, he made little effort to follow ball. Justice served. 😊
ReplyDeleteLook at Gerrard tackle in slo mo. Ox falls before challenge, however would have been taken out anyway. It is possible that he fell to control his inevitable fall, and therefore control likelihood of injury.
ReplyDeleteThis is where slow motion replays don't tell the whole story
I'll send you a short video of challenge
Cheaters win. Mourinho launched his career with a Porto team that wrote the modern book on cheating
ReplyDeleteIt could be eradicated by simple use of technology. FIFA allow cheaters to prosper
I would argue that the human race hasn't quite escaped the dark ages just yet, we are in a gilded cage period of our development, iPhones making us all feel free and content with Snowdens former colleagues watching ;)
I absolutely support your campaign against cheating and continue to be impressed by your clarity of thought and logical arguments, however I disagree slightly with your definition of cheating.
Immediate replays of Henry incident would have demonstrated that he just cheated, red card or sin bin would be a good measure.
What would replays have changed about Suarez's actions? He was punished accordingly according to current rules.
We are then getting down to somehow changing the morality of every player in soccer.
If someone finds this magic formula, let's apply it to our leaders, lawmakers and general populace before soccer players :)
Suarez Sturridge and Sterling will acclimatize him real real fast in training. He wont face better in games that count
ReplyDeletethought we already had another good keeper currently playing in Italy. Talk of selling Pepe for next to nothing and then buying somebody for more than we sell him for and with half the talent absolute nonsense IMO
ReplyDeleteIMO someone needs to talk to Pepe and let him know we love him hahaha. I'm tired of all the talk about selling him for next to nothing then spending more money on someone with half the talent. I seriously believe that if Pepe pulled his finger out or someone could inspire him to do so he would be our number 1 keeper and Mignolet would be on the bench. However it worked out who was number 1 it's obvious that the competition between the 2 would be beneficial to them both. Heck Pepe is our player and the money offered for him is peanuts just keep him please.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it..
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your interpretation of the definition of "cheating" from the dictionary. He did not "use unfair or deceitful methods" he got a red card for his actions AND the other team was awarded a PENALTY, which is a more than fair tradeoff. He did not "gain an advantage" from the tradeoff. The chances to miss a penalty are slim as you already know.....
ReplyDeleteAlso, dont you dare say Forlan is ignorant; he speaks 5 languages fluently and is smarter than you