Raheem Sterling is closing in on a move to Chelsea after months of talks, but Adebayo Akinfenwa says he’d take the 27-year-old back to Liverpool if possible.
Read Man City have spoken about Pep Guardiola taking a risk letting Sterling go after selling Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal, but clearly the Manchester City manager believes he can still challenge for major honours without him.
Is Pep Guardiola right to sell Raheem Sterling?
Yes
No
Jack Grealish will be expected to improve upon a disappointing debut season while Cole Palmer may be given more opportunities, so City do have options when Sterling leaves.
Akinfenwa rates the England international highly, however, and believes he’s underrated by many as he occasionally misses chances. He said on talkSPORT Daily: “I said City shouldn’t have sold him. I think Raheem Sterling has been among the top-five players in the Premier League in the last five years.
“He doesn’t get the recognition and I don’t know why. He does miss easy chances, so I think it takes away from (how people view him). I’d take him back at Liverpool. That’s how high I rate him as a player.” Akinfenwa might be on his own with that claim, however, as the Reds still have Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz who can play in his position.
Nevertheless, he’s right about Sterling being an underrated player. The 27-year-old has hit double figures for Premier League goals in each of the last five seasons – 78 goals and 44 assists from 161 games.
Chelsea are signing him for £45m and Sterling is only reaching his prime years now. It’s quite a coup for them and a big loss for City.
In other news, Frank McAvennie says Pep Guardiola ‘isn’t thinking of selling’ Man City player