Navas ahead of Sterling?

[Mase]

Isn't Sterling our second top goal scorer? How many has Navas got this season? Actually, how many assists has Navas got? Genuine question.

Yep, second highest goal scorer, third highest for assists in all comps.

Navas has 1 goal 7 assists all comps.

Appreciate that.

[Nige]

Sterling's stats show brilliant ball retention. I was surprised but the numbers on such matters don't lie. Pass completion rate up there with YaYa and Silva. Go figure.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

To judge Sterling based on how much money we had to pay for him is complete nonsense. He isn't the complete player but at 21 he can and I am sure will get better. He is a threat with good pace and makes a lot of good runs but his decision making at times lets him down as does his ball control.

I would not criticise him for effeort though as when he plays he does get up and down and support his full back just as Navas does. Add to that his record of assists and goals and he is the better bet for me of the two. Decent shout though to leave Silva out and play them both as we will need their energy on Sunday.

[bigblue]

Sterling's stats show brilliant ball retention. I was surprised but the numbers on such matters don't lie. Pass completion rate up there with YaYa and Silva. Go figure.

For being a frail looking little guy, he's surprisingly very strong when holding off defenders. He also doesn't get enough credit for winning the ball back, usually by stepping into the other player and shielding the ball away.

I think Pep's style of play (moving the ball as a team, everyone making runs for each other) will help him a lot. Many times when Sterling loses the ball, it's because he's in an advanced position and doesn't have any support around him.

[zuricity]

To judge Sterling based on how much money we had to pay for him is complete nonsense. He isn't the complete player but at 21 he can and I am sure will get better. He is a threat with good pace and makes a lot of good runs but his decision making at times lets him down as does his ball control.

I would not criticise him for effeort though as when he plays he does get up and down and support his full back just as Navas does. Add to that his record of assists and goals and he is the better bet for me of the two. Decent shout though to leave Silva out and play them both as we will need their energy on Sunday.

Nonsense, of course Sterling should be judged on what he cost. It is stupid and incompetent to think otherwise.


I really don't care if he is 21,25 or 30. Does he bring
what a 45 mill player should bring to the table ? No.

[s1ty m]

Maybe they are both a bit shit. Neither get me off my seat. Really, they both get me shouting in the wrong way.

[zuricity]

Maybe they are both a bit shit. Neither get me off my seat. Really, they both get me shouting in the wrong way.

your comment speaks volumes.

OR AS CARL MIGHT SAY ,'SHOUTS' VOLUMES.

[phips]

Is this what is going on? If so, what is Pellegrini thinking?

I don't get it right now.

Navas is the better player atm. By a long way.

this. even with the injuries Sterling has done little to warrant a starting berth ahead of the current crop of available players.

[bigblue]

Is this what is going on? If so, what is Pellegrini thinking?

I don't get it right now.

Navas is the better player atm. By a long way.

this. even with the injuries Sterling has done little to warrant a starting berth ahead of the current crop of available players.

...besides being our second leading scorer, third highest in assists, and pass completion similar to Yaya and Dave.

You're not even trying anymore

[Dimples]

Price does not enter the equation - you pay the going rate to get what you want - and Sterlings was very high due to circumstances.

For me Sterling over Navas every time. Navas works but delivers very little.
Sterling works and delivers goals and assists.
Sterling will blossom with Pep's mentoring. He is one of our future superstars - still only 21.

[john@staustell]

Is this what is going on? If so, what is Pellegrini thinking?

I don't get it right now.

I'll let you know after Sunday's team sheet.

Thing is Sterling can be brilliant or anonymous. You know what you will get with Navas - 100% effort, speed, tracking back and the final ball into touch.

[Mase]

Is this what is going on? If so, what is Pellegrini thinking?

I don't get it right now.

I'll let you know after Sunday's team sheet.

Thing is Sterling can be brilliant or anonymous. You know what you will get with Navas - 100% effort, speed, tracking back and the final ball into touch.

Speed which he doesn't use. I can't remember ever seeing him take on a fullback. He prefers to just hit them with the ball from deep.

[Abu Dhabi]

For me it Navas over Raheem.

Raheem is the only player that makes me want to stop watching sometimes. Not even Jo did that, not even Gelson.

I know he scored 6 league goals, but once he starts scoring against proper teams, not Villa, Sunderland and Bournemouth, then it might change.

Navas, for all his flaws, at least looks to make things happening at the right.

[Hazy2]

Neither both 2nd tier players, Navas back to Spain. Sterling has nothing Natural, he is quick but lacks the craft, you see similar aged players for Bayern last night come off the Bench to not only change the game but look top class

[gmercer1]

Both are frustrating but I know pretty much every time Navas gets the ball what he's going to do......try and take the full back on the outside.....stop put his foot on it and pass it back to the full back.
One thing Sterling has over Navas is he gets in to goal scoring positions where Navas very rarely does. Yes Sterling missing some howlers but at least he's there.
Just wish Navas would try something different to make the fullbacks think.

[london blue 2]

How many goals has pony got this season?

Edit: scratch that, my argument was going to be that whilst bony offers some form of goal threat it doesn't mean we should press on with him in the starting line up, but i think he only has four!

I think the sterling of late has been awful and a bit of a bottle job if I'm honest.

Navas never bottles it.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I'd like to see him used on the right more.

He's been hit and miss, very good away to Seville and home to Borrusia which were two big games. Came up with the little bit of skill that saw us overcome Everton in league cup semi ( even if he was over the line ).

Think he's being treated unfairly by referees too, the stats bear this out too with him being the second most fouled in the PL last season when playing for Liverpool and not even featuring in the top ten this.

I can think of three penalties off the top of my head that he's been denied this season, Clark at Villa, Metersacker at Arsenal and Stones against Everton.

Still plenty of room for improvement with him but plenty of time ahead of him in which to do it. Looking forward to seeing Pep working with him.

[john@staustell]

Still plenty of room for improvement with him but plenty of time ahead of him in which to do it. Looking forward to seeing Pep working with him.

Very good point

[Hazy2]

How many goals has pony got this season?

Edit: scratch that, my argument was going to be that whilst bony offers some form of goal threat it doesn't mean we should press on with him in the starting line up, but i think he only has four!

I think the sterling of late has been awful and a bit of a bottle job if I'm honest.

Navas never bottles it.

That last comment has to be a wind up mate.

[aaron bond]

I know he scored 6 league goals, but once he starts scoring against proper teams, not Villa, Sunderland and Bournemouth, then it might change.

Like in the Champions League perhaps???