Raheem Sterling scored 131 goals with 94 assists from 337 games at Manchester City and netted 17 goals with nine assists from 47 games in his final season at the club, so he will be missed by Pep Guardiola.
Cole Palmer is a promising talent who can shoulder some of the scoring burden next season and Phil Foden will take on a more important role in Sterling’s absence, but Paul Robinson believes the 27-year-old’s exit will benefit Jack Grealish.
He says the 26-year-old will get more playing time than he did in his debut season and should have a better campaign now he’s getting used to Guardiola’s wants from him on the pitch. Robinson told Football Insider: “Grealish will play more.
“It opens a door for him in that sense. It will be his time to step up and his time to shine. He admitted himself that he found it different, not difficult, but different last year. He was not the main man. Rather than being the main player, he was a cog in a wheel.
“I think he is slowly learning about what Pep Guardiola wants. He is growing into the role. Next season will be a big season for him, especially with Raheem Sterling moving on.” Grealish made 39 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring six goals with four assists, so he didn’t make the best impression after his £100m move from Aston Villa.
Is Jack Grealish good enough to replace Raheem Sterling?
Yes
No
But it was the same with Sterling upon his arrival at the Etihad Stadium. He scored just six goals with two assists from 31 Premier League games (2015/16), so players can take time to settle. And now Grealish has less competition for a starting place, he should get more minutes on the pitch.
In other news, Man City player set to sign £200k-per-week deal as Raheem Sterling closes in on exit