Raheem Sterling just getting better and better

Much has been said about Manchester City and we have run out of superlatives for Pep Guardiola’s side. I wrote an editorial about City and England winger Raheem Sterling a couple of weeks ago praising him, as he had played a crucial part in the Citizens stellar campaign.

However, after his display against West Ham in City’s 4-1 on Sunday, I felt the need to write about the England international once again. He was just that good.

Hat-trick of assists

Sterling was a constant threat to the Hammers defence, tormenting them constantly with his skill and pace. He was relentless and always wanted the ball, a bundle of trouble for the opposition defence.

The 23-year-old grabbed himself a hat-trick of assists, showing that he is a team player. The winger should have had four assists after being denied a blatant penalty when Aaron Cresswell fouled the former Liverpool star in the penalty area only for the referee to turn down the appeal.

Another bad day in front of goal

It is horrible to find negatives after such a livewire performance from Sterling. However, the winger once again showed that he needs to work on his finishing, missing two one-on-ones with West Ham goalkeeper Adrian during Sunday’s clash. He was probably disappointed not to have found the net, but he played such a crucial part in the win that it did not matter that he failed to convert his chances.

Sterling has recently admitted that he will become more clinical in the near future. He has admitted that he misses the chances when he has more time to think about things. The winger is definitely better when he is doing things from instinct, as he has good goalscoring instincts.

The winger gets in such good goalscoring positions that when he does find that killer instinct in front of goal he will be one hell of a player. Under Guardiola Sterling has become a much-improved player.

A couple more years under the Catalan boss and he might even be able to finish as well. However, a return of 24 goals in all competitions, having played for much of the season out wide is definitely not a bad one.

England’s most exciting player

For me, Raheem Sterling’s turnaround from laughing stock at Euro 2016 has been amazing. The winger has always had talent and the attributes to become a very good player.

In the two years since England’s last major international tournament, Sterling has really started fulfilling his potential at City. Arguably, he is now the Three Lions most exciting attacking player.

There are not many players in the Three Lions squad that can get fans off their seats, but Sterling is certainly one and hopefully, he can shine for England at this summer’s World Cup, a tournament England are major underdogs to win at 18/1.

The Three Lions look unlikely to win the tournament. However, if they are to make the latter stages, then Sterling could be the key to any success they enjoy in Russia this summer.

If he creates as many chances for his England teammates as he does for his City teammates, then the Three Lions should enjoy a relatively successful campaign at Russia 2018.

The winger cannot seem to win with the media, as when he spends big he is perceived to be a flash git, then when he shops in a cut-price shop he accused of penny-pinching. Why any of this should affect people’s idea of him as a footballer is beyond me. However, for some reason, a minority of people have taken a real dislike to the lad.

This season I have come to appreciate Raheem Sterling as a footballer. To be honest I am not bothered if he shops in Aldi, Primark or Harrods, as he is a footballer. He is proving to be a pretty handy one at that and that is all that matters.

Can Raheem Sterling become more clinical in front of goal?