I think he could go down as one of the greatest England players ever. He is simply amazing
Is Sterling the best english player at the moment?
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Yes he is. Pep has positively structured his game and brought in that consistency and leadership. He is also a goal-scorer, and a match-winner.
However... I do not put him in the bracket of the likes of De Bruyne, Pogba, Aguero, Griezemann quite yet, because I am not sure how inspirational Sterling would be in an average team, whereas those I have named, carry a prescence and ability that lifts all around them, almost immediately.
However... I do not put him in the bracket of the likes of De Bruyne, Pogba, Aguero, Griezemann quite yet, because I am not sure how inspirational Sterling would be in an average team, whereas those I have named, carry a prescence and ability that lifts all around them, almost immediately.
Not sure about that. He's terrific. One of the best wide players around. But post Messi and co, I don't see him as being the best in the world in the future. Mbappe is there waiting for that crown. And I imagine someone else of that quality would step up by then as well. Sterling is excellent not at at an elite level IMO.
This isn't a video game. Back in reality, Zaha wouldn't get into a team surrounded by that quality of player because he would be deemed a liability next to them. Imagine a front three of Neymar, Messi and... Wilfred Zaha. He'd be out the door pretty fast. So while anyone's productivity would increase in a better team and under a better manager, players like Zaha aren't actually good enough for top class football teams and players like Sterling are.
Bit much isn't it ? At his age, Rooney had performed miles better. Not to mention the likes of Bobby Charlton and co.
Pogba isn't all that inspirational. He's no Keane/Vieira (genuine leader) or Messi/Ibra (on pitch inspiration) type figure who carries others with him regardless of dramatic speeches made in the French dressing room. He's a quality footballer but not a leader IMO. In fact at times the fact that he doesn't play with his team mates /poor decision making is his big weakness.
I think I picked Kane over him when this thread was started but it's much closer now.
Nah. He was "good" at Liverpool, but he's gone on another level of consistency at City. He's so much better.
How did rooney perform.much better? Also Rooney career ended in his late 20s. I'm not talking about pure stats as rooney was a striker. But Sterling is ranked as high in his position as rooney ever was. I think when everything is done Sterling will pass him by.
I don’t disagree that he’s improved, that’s evident, but I feel like it’s the natural progression of the talent he displayed at Liverpool, sure Pep has played his part, but nowhere near the hyperbolic statements that are often made crediting him with Sterling’s improvement. Look at this thread and it’s full of “the system” posts, and to me that’s just comical.
He was always considered an elite level talent though. I first saw him at the u17 World Cup for England and it was clear he was top tier. He played pretty much in the same way then too. Consistency often comes with age also.
To be totally fair, performing to your XG makes you a completely average shooter of everybody who ever takes a shot. So whilst it might not be terrible, It's certainly not good either.
Rooney's career ended in his early 30s if I'm not mistaken. But he was a smashing player from 18 onwards. Pretty darn good from 16-18 as well. Sterling was good at 18 but then had an average spell after that. Not to mention, despite England being crap at international tournaments and Rooney not excelling and not having the best luck with injuries in and around them, he has a record breaking international career.
Rooney gets a hard time here but he's an all time great of the game. Phenomenal footballer. And I'm not talking about stats - drive, energy, physicality, technique, goalscoring, buildup play, everything.
I think it's symptomatic of people in the UK to overhype own players - however when it comes to evaluating them after the hype, most people won't give them the credit they deserve.
Sterlings numbers speaks for themselves. He's a massive player and a huge influence in the england squad.
Any other nation would beg for a player of his calibre.
And damn - he's not even 25? Feels like he's been in the game for ages.
Sterlings numbers speaks for themselves. He's a massive player and a huge influence in the england squad.
Any other nation would beg for a player of his calibre.
And damn - he's not even 25? Feels like he's been in the game for ages.
Don't get me wrong everybody knew he was a huge talent, and he was a good player at Liverpool.
His movement off the ball especially is so much brighter. Compare his goal scoring now to what it was like before Guardiola.
For England he hadn't scored in something like 2 years? now he's a regular. He's just a much more confident, complete player. Night and day difference.
Agreed, overhyping of some players is getting a bit ridiculous now, would take peak Rooney any time over peak Raheem lad, whole different level.
I would disagree. Paul Pogba is an inspirational player. When he plays (and this is the issue..) he has an influence on the game that few players can ignore. France are world champions, with fabulous players, and Pogba is the creative presence on that team. I am not saying they cannot play or win without him. I am saying is he absolutely inspirational to them. He is not like Keane or Viera, so you should not compare like-for-like. The other players you mentioned are forwards. (and this is not a Pogba thread
)When Pogba loses interest or focus, he makes mistakes and becomes sloppy. Like all players who lose focus. But, but.. when he is focused, he dominates games, against the very best. His poor decision making isn't a lack of footballing ability or footballing brain. That's lack of character.
I totally agree that it's night and day but I think it's mostly confidence. For most of his England career it looked like he had none in the shirt, he kind of looked meek really. He's completely transformed into a senior player and leader for us now.
I watched the game last night to see how Foden did and Sterling looked like City's leader on the pitch. They were pretty poor at first and their make shift centre backs were completely rubbish, they didn't look confident, it was Sterling who took the game 'by the scruff of it's neck' and got them back into it with his first assist and by winning the penalty.
I think the Kane vs Sterling thing is kind of tedious. I think Kane is actually evolving into a different kind of player too, more of a creator, link man and really good passer. The funny thing is that the two have a brilliant playing relationship for England and work fantastically together.
I mean, a lack of character (if that's what he has and I don't think it's the case), is not something people generally find very inspirational. But yeah this is for another thread.I would disagree. Paul Pogba is an inspirational player. When he plays (and this is the issue..) he has an influence on the game that few players can ignore. France are world champions, with fabulous players, and Pogba is the creative presence on that team. I am not saying they cannot play or win without him. I am saying is he absolutely inspirational to them. He is not like Keane or Viera, so you should not compare like-for-like. The other players you mentioned are forwards. (and this is not a Pogba thread
When Pogba loses interest or focus, he makes mistakes and becomes sloppy. Like all players who lose focus. But, but.. when he is focused, he dominates games, against the very best. His poor decision making isn't a lack of footballing ability or footballing brain. That's lack of character.
I would disagree. Paul Pogba is an inspirational player. When he plays (and this is the issue..) he has an influence on the game that few players can ignore. France are world champions, with fabulous players, and Pogba is the creative presence on that team. I am not saying they cannot play or win without him. I am saying is he absolutely inspirational to them. He is not like Keane or Viera, so you should not compare like-for-like. The other players you mentioned are forwards. (and this is not a Pogba thread
When Pogba loses interest or focus, he makes mistakes and becomes sloppy. Like all players who lose focus. But, but.. when he is focused, he dominates games, against the very best. His poor decision making isn't a lack of footballing ability or footballing brain. That's lack of character.
He’s better than Pogba or Griezmann. Both are good players, but overrated.
I know, but that's exactly it: it's literally not below par in the context of xG.
Yea he is. Only on Redcafe.
If peak Rooney was a whole different level to Sterling. Then Rooney was Messi level. If anything you guys are the ones overrating Rooney. Sterling at 24 isn't much if anything behind Rooney at 24. Like I said when it's all done he will be seen the greater player. There will be only one reason Rooney will be seen as greater in this country. But I won't get into that
I think Sterling like Rooney are excellent at forming attacking partnerships. And not only contributing but also elevating the attack. That is one sign of versatility, in-game intelligence and definitely a world class attribute. He was devastating in Liverpool's counter-attacking football and now he is even better in Man city's possession based football.
Guardiola has designed a system which gets the best out of all his attackers. Right now he is thriving in Man City's setup which gives him acres of space on left when they overload the right with De Bryune, Walker and Silva. Playing with Aguero also draws attention away and lets him get 1v1 with the defender. All 3 goals yesterday were classic examples.
In the end I think it still remains to be seen if he can be the main focal point for Man City like how Aguero and Suarez did for the teams he played in. I don't think his football has reached Rooney levels in 09/10 and the second half of 11/12.
Guardiola has designed a system which gets the best out of all his attackers. Right now he is thriving in Man City's setup which gives him acres of space on left when they overload the right with De Bryune, Walker and Silva. Playing with Aguero also draws attention away and lets him get 1v1 with the defender. All 3 goals yesterday were classic examples.
In the end I think it still remains to be seen if he can be the main focal point for Man City like how Aguero and Suarez did for the teams he played in. I don't think his football has reached Rooney levels in 09/10 and the second half of 11/12.
Rooney had his first truly WC season at 23-24 (09/10) and had other 'good' seasons before and after. Sterling is potentially on his 3rd WC season at the same age so I don't see in what sense Rooney was a whole different level.
They're different players but from what they bring to the team, I'd say it's pretty close in terms of their overall level at the same age and probably favour Sterling in the long run if he keeps this up.
They're different players but from what they bring to the team, I'd say it's pretty close in terms of their overall level at the same age and probably favour Sterling in the long run if he keeps this up.
Agree but you haven’t actually seen peak level Sterling. Injuries permitting he’ll continue to improve for the next 3 years.
The only thing peaking with Rooney past the 09 season was his waist.
I agree with this, but Redcafe will not like it.
His biggest problem has always been his ball striking under pressure or in tight situations, something which I think is easier to train and probably down to a mental block.
Like Mbappe I think his greatest attributes are his game intelligence and off the ball movement. Combine that with his technical ability and pace, you have a very dangerous player. Even at 18/19(?) Liverpool already trust him enough to play him in multiple attacking positions and he generally did well in them.
Compare that with players like Rashford and Martial who are still struggling to find their true position in football. This guy can play on any wing and even as the SS. Just depressing really.
Yet he scored what was voted best premier league goal ever a couple of years later and won a few more trophies playing a key role in the team
crazy talk
Yep, he’s clearly got intelligence combined with fantastic physical qualities. Deadly combination!
he’s a boyhood united fan, we’ve really missed a trick there
Not long ago Liverpool fans were arguing what was Sterling's best position, whether playing him as winger is better than playing him at the tip of diamond. They didn't have same discussion in the season before when Sterling had good season with Suarez next to him and they smashed all the teams. Young players integrate well in good functioning team.
Not comparing their abilities btw, Young players struggled in the teams which was a broken team, even Sterling did.
Sterling was quality as a 10, quality as a left or right winger at the ages of 17-19 what sepertes him from those players isn't only to do with a functioning team, but his intelligence, he is a far more intelligent player than any of those players, even Martial who is his equal physically and technically.
I still remember CAF laughing at him, calling him average and what not. I remember Liverpool fans saying how Ibe is better than Sterling when he didn't have good season at Liverpool. Now he is at whole different level and there is no comparison between them.
The scary thing about Stirling is that yes his shooting is something that can be improved upon, however he has scored I believe 35 goals this calander year so far, so what will he be like when his shooting does improves. He is still improving unlike Salah & Mane, prime Salah was the season before last I believe Stirling has now surpassed Salah/Mane form wise and we still haven't seen prime Stirling yet.
We won titles with the likes of Cleverly & Chadwick. SAF even had his own son in the team. No team is made up of 11 marque players. It was also SAF that signed Zaha. If he didn't think he was good enough for Man Utd then why would he have signed him.
If anyone post 17/18 had said Sterling was good enough for the likes of Real & Barca they would have been declared insane. It's no coincidence that his elevation coincided with the arrival of Pep & the huge spending spree that brought in the likes of KDB, B Silva & Sane to add to the likes of Aguero & D Silva. Zaha on the other hand has been playing under the likes of Pardew & Hodgson & playing alongside Townsend & Benteke.
Sterling at 18/19 years old is as good as or even better than Dembele and Vincinus when they made step up to La Liga. I don't think many thought that way.
I think Zaha's only strength is his dribbling which he uses to create space and chances for his teammates. The other aspects of his game aren't that remarkable. I can't think of any current player in the big clubs that had an impact just solely down to his dribbling.
Jordan Ibe's better
It reminds me of a certain Portuguese player.
