This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Raheem Sterling was included in Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week after his display against Crystal Palace and the BBC Sport pundit praised the Englishman for one particularly outstanding defensive moment.
What did he say?
Sterling had a helping hand in Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over the Eagles, providing a sumptuous assist for David Silva’s killer second goal, but it wasn’t only his creative ingenuity that caught Crooks’ eye.
The former Liverpool man has bagged 41 Premier League goals for City over the past two years, which includes the six in eight games he has this campaign.
However, Crooks took the time out to praise Sterling for his defensive abilities: “I can’t remember a game where Raheem Sterling made such an impression without scoring. If ever anyone needed reminding just how much Sterling’s game has progressed under the watchful eye on Pep Guardiola then this was it.
“The way he chased back 40 yards and dispossessed Wilfried Zaha with the most exquisite slide tackle prior to setting up City’s next attack was sensational. Sterling is creeping ever closer to taking Cristiano Ronaldo’s mantle.
“A special performance in a Champions League win might do it.”
Guardiola’s complete package
Few players in world football have seen such an astonishing improvement over the last few seasons than Sterling has under Guardiola. The Spaniard has helped turn the forward into the complete player, scoring a multitude of high quality goals and blossoming into one of City and England’s most integral players.
And as was evident in the Palace game, he is proving to be a defensive asset as well.
Having scored 78 times now for City, Sterling has certainly established himself as one of the world’s best and proven to be one of the club’s main players in their record-breaking era.
Defensively, the 24-year-old made two tackles and completed two interceptions at Selhurst Park, which included that magnificent dart back to stop Zaha. In the same game, he also made three key passes and hit the woodwork once, proving to be a handful both in defence and attack.
If Sterling continues in this manner with goals and defensive work, his name could be thrown into the Ballon d’Or mix as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo edge into the twilight of their respective careers.
The City superstar was included in the 55-man shortlist for the FIFPro World XI, but did not make the cut in the end. However, if these incredible performances continue, he may rocket to the top of the awards sooner rather than later.
