Raheem Sterling has joined Chelsea on a five-year deal from Manchester City and will be missed by Pep Guardiola after scoring 131 goals with 94 assists from 337 appearances in all competitions.
The 27-year-old hit double figures for Premier League goals in five consecutive seasons at the Etihad Stadium and Lianne Sanderson says people need ‘to put respect on his name’ after his ‘fantastic’ seven years in Manchester.
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The five-time Women’s Premier League winner said on talkSPORT Daily: “Sterling proved a lot of people wrong. There are some players that have to do more to get that respect, and I think you’ve got to put respect on Raheem Sterling’s name because he’s done it everywhere he’s gone.
How many players do you know that could go to Liverpool, be at Man City and now go to Chelsea? They’re gonna welcome him with open arms. I think a lot of teams (would have done). He’s a fantastic player, and I have no doubt he’s gonna do well at Chelsea.”
Sterling scored 17 goals with nine assists from 47 games across the board last season, so Chelsea are getting a talented player. And while Guardiola has Jack Grealish and Cole Palmer who can step into his shoes, Sterling isn’t an easy player to replace.
The England international, who has scored 19 goals with 25 assists from 77 games for his country, tailored his game to be an efficient scorer under Guardiola, taking more shots (57) than chances created (42), so it’s little wonder he frequently hits double figures.
Sterling no longer wanted to stay at City, but Guardiola is helping Chelsea’s title pursuit by giving him to them.
In other news, Pep Guardiola criticised for ‘mistake’ that could ‘haunt’ Man City next season