The Curious Case of Raheem Sterling

[branny]

I think one of the reasons his finishing generally was poor given the chances he was presented with is that he has a woeful first touch, his pace made up for some of those poor touches. If he’d had a Mahrez first touch, he would have scored lots more. He was very good for two seasons…..the rest of the time it was meh !!
If he took on a defender early in a game and failed to get past, that was it. Occasionally he was brilliant, most of the time he was frustrating, I wish him well and he may be rejuvenated by a new challenge.

his acceleration is unmatched in top flight football and he knows Pep's tactics inside out - the ultimate system player. If he goes it'll be a blow and we'll need to replace him for sure.

Not sure mate on either front. Noise from the club is palmer (we all screamed for more chances for him and mcatee); with mahrez playing more and foden/alvarez there. Im on the fence on a replacement. Gnabry has been offered on crazy money.

Cancelo another option? (when we sign a left back)

[sheblue]

55m is good money for him, with 1 year and all that.
Overall I am not too disappointed to see him go. Only gripe it's to the chavs.

With all these sales, I do wonder are we going to go for in for another wide attacking player.

[Dameerto]

His sale would suggest (on money terms) we have someone else coming in, on balance not too sad to see him go, he played his part in our comeback for the last game of the season though, and will be greatful for all he's done for us over the years, he's had some cracking games on his day.

[Zezou]

I think it's good timing for everyone for the move.

Have loved him here and hope he gets a good reception, unlike what he gets at Stamford bridge...

[aaron bond]

Overall he's been a great signing and the club have done good business by effectively getting what we paid for him back in the transfer fee.

There has been a big drop off in his performances and contribution in the past 2 seasons so it feels like the right time for him to leave.

Selling to a rival club is never ideal. But in reality, Sterling was only going to join another top club. If refused to sell him now to Chelsea, he would have waited another year and we would have lost him for free (on top of giving him another year's salary).

[john@staustell]

Overall he's been a great signing and the club have done good business by effectively getting what we paid for him back in the transfer fee.

There has been a big drop off in his performances and contribution in the past 2 seasons so it feels like the right time for him to leave.

Selling to a rival club is never ideal. But in reality, Sterling was only going to join another top club. If refused to sell him now to Chelsea, he would have waited another year and we would have lost him for free (on top of giving him another year's salary).

Yep, it's a good deal

Two main problems
1) Finishing, one on one and open goal.

2) Running into the defender and/or falling on his arse instead of passing, giving the oppo the ball and letting them break away

[johnny crossan]

Big mistake

[Dubciteh]

47.5m no add ons. Seems cheap.

[CTID Hants]

47.5m no add ons. Seems cheap.

One year on his contract, that is a steal.

Personally I'd rather he had gone somewhere in Europe.

I liked the guy but pandemic changed him one way or another.

Go be happy Razzer (excepting when you play us), good luck

[Dimples]

47.5m no add ons. Seems cheap.

Mane sold for £24M, potentially rising to £35M, one year left on his contract, 2.5 years older, more important to Liverpool than Sterling was to City.
So £47.5M for Sterling seems like good value to City.

[Green & Blue]

Think we’ve got ok money considering his contract is almost done. I’ve found him very frustrating to watch last few years, happy he’s going now.

On a more positive note I do think he gave his all for City and did some great things in his time here.

[Mase]

Sterling - very much an arm around the shoulder player, I wonder how he’ll feel with Tuchel as manager. Hudson-Odoi has struggled. I think it’ll hit home how easy he had it here.

For what it’s worth, £50m is great. To say he was in his final year and he probably told us he’d only go to Chelsea, to get £50m is spot on.

[BlueinBosnia]

47.5m no add ons. Seems cheap.

Is that a fact? I've also seen "45 + up to 10 in add-ons" (several, including Metro & Telegraph) and "up to 50 including add-ons" (BBC) reported.

[johnny crossan]

47.5m no add ons. Seems cheap.

Is that a fact? I've also seen "45 + up to 10 in add-ons" (several, including Metro & Telegraph) and "up to 50 including add-ons" (BBC) reported.

Ornstein claimed no add ons to equalise with Gabby, whose current team he is a client journo for.

[Mase]

47.5m no add ons. Seems cheap.

Is that a fact? I've also seen "45 + up to 10 in add-ons" (several, including Metro & Telegraph) and "up to 50 including add-ons" (BBC) reported.

I think there’s around 4-5 different figures being banded about at the moment. Anything £45m+ is decent for someone in their final year that wanted to go back to London, leaving us little options of a bidding war.

[nottsblue]

A decent fee for Sterling IMO

He had only the one year left on his contract which naturally will decrease value. And due to the paucity of funds in the major European leagues, another English club was realistically the only destination. And being a London boy, Chelsea was an obvious choice and given there wasn’t a bidding war which could have driven up the price, a total package of £50M is rather acceptable

A very good player for us over the years, 131 goals is testament to that, but it is the right time for both club and player for him to move on.

[branny]

He could be watching us lift the trophy in May. Last home game is Chelsea.

[Hazy2]

Good lad goodbye, perfect timing for all concerned.

[Dameerto]

47.5m no add ons. Seems cheap.

Is that a fact? I've also seen "45 + up to 10 in add-ons" (several, including Metro & Telegraph) and "up to 50 including add-ons" (BBC) reported.

Ornstein claimed no add ons to equalise with Gabby, whose current team he is a client journo for.

Reading between the lines I think Sterling's camp has been in touch with the beeb, so I'm inclined to think their figure is accurate.

[johnny crossan]

Curiouser and curiouser - not signed for them yet according to both clubs