Come on now, sure wages is one thing but Sterling definitely doesn't look like he is leaving because he isn't getting enough money. It's about trophies and playing alongside top players and learning from a experienced manager
That's his new line that he wants everyone to believe to try dig himself out of the hole he's put himself in.
It's been more than a strong rumour locally (confirmed by a couple of beat guys who are close to the team on a daily basis) that Raheem started to make ruptions last summer about wanting out of the North West and to return back to London. Now he's seemingly on the verge of moving 35 miles down the road to Manchester. WELL out of the North West and back down South right? All after turning down, at a mere 20 years of age at a club that consistently rips up young contracts as players progress before they're up and bumps up wages as they go, £100 K a week.
But it's
not about the money? Do us a freaking favour!
It's ALL about the money and the delusional opinion he has of himself as a top player. Whether that's down to his **** agent, or the ridiculous OTT hype that goes along with any young English player who shows anything down to the complete dirth of top bracket talent in this Country I don't know; but he's FAR from that.
Raheem Sterling may turn into a very good, consistent footballer at the top level. But at present, all he is, is young inconsistent potential. He's had three VERY up and down years at the top level. The only time he really shone consistently was the second half of the season 2 years ago when the team was flying and he had Suarez and Sturridge occupying opposing defenders freeing him up. (After he'd been so poor the first half of that year he ended up getting dropped after the disgrace at Hull before Christmas.). When that's not been there, and the onus has been on him to deliver, it's been a completely different story. He's all pace and little else the majority of the time. His finishing is woeful. He's very one footed. And his final ball/ decision has been terrible more often than not. Yeah, I could do you a YouTube montage of great Sterling plays. But watch him on a consistent basis up close and you'll soon realise the hype to the extent it's gotten is unwarranted. Saying he's one of Liverpool's top players isn't saying much.
Converse that to Jordan Ibe. (A kid the coaches at Anfield have consistently praised as being better then Raheem at every level since he's been at the club.). He's been loaned out on more than one occasion without complaint as he just wants to progress. He's signed a new extension without any fuss (with his parents representing him); just happy to be at the club and not getting greedy above his age/ current worth. And he's coming in early this pre-season, completely off his own back, to continue to hone his craft and improve. EVERYTHING Raheem ISN'T.
And there's been some seriously scandalous reporting on the club/ Rodgers leaking things to try railroad him into signing/ not standing up for him. The club gets a lot wrong of late for which I'll readily slam them for. But they've been spot on the way they've handled this and ALL the controversy has been of Sterlings OWN making. I have a lot of issues with Rodgers, but I really feel for him on this. He's gone out of his way to work with him and build him up. (Even now continuing to speak highly of him when that's FAR from what Sterlings attitude deserves.) He must feel like the kids stabbed him in the back.
Unless theres a MASSIVE about turn in both his attitude and consistency to his game, Sterling is about to find out he's not half as big a player as his delusions have him believe he is and he won't play nearly as many games for City as he did for Liverpool.
I, like most reds, aren't bothered one iota that he's probably staying in the BPL. For we know he's nothing like the £50 million player the club are skanking City on.
We're just MORE than happy to get the jumped up lil' **** out of our football club!
