When Manchester City bought Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling, he was known simply for his speed and dribbling. His decision making was very questionable at times and his shooting left a lot to desire. He was a young player with acres of room for potential but his immaturity at times was a huge question mark. Though he had won the “Golden Boy” award for best young player, Sterling’s game was very one dimensional.
When Pep Guardiola arrived in 2016, he brought with him one of the most demanding systems in the World. A high pressing, free flowing offense that requires tons of off the ball movement and smart decisions with the ball. Guardiola’s style of play requires players who are capable of breaking the lines with one pass yet understand when it’s the right time and place to do so. His complex system took time to make its mark at City but in the 2017-2018 season, it finally did. A big part of that league winning City side was Raheem Sterling himself.
With Guardiola’s formation, both wingers tend to cut inside a bit more and look to create from the wing. Sterling was no longer just making runs down the line looking to cross. Guardiola forced Sterling to become a playmaker just like everyone else on the pitch. In his third season with Guardiola, Sterling has become a playmaking winger that can find you that killer ball from anywhere on the pitch. Sterling’s playmaking abilities has allowed him to play in other positions when needed. With England, he’s able to play as the second striker, the “10” right behind Harry Kane or on his natural wing.
Statistically speaking, Sterling has improved every year under Guardiola. During his first year with the spanish manager, Sterling scored a total of seven goals and had six assists. He doubled those tallies last season when he had a career high 18 goals and 11 assists. This season, Sterling continues to be an integral part of City’s campaign with seven goals and six assists after just 12 games.
Like most players who play under Guardiola, Sterling has developed so much as a player in recent years. He’s become a World class winger who’s starting to live up to his price tag. If Sterling could learn how to finish, he’d be a top 15 player in the World easily.