FootballFanCast.com’s Performance in Numbers coverage is brought to you by 5p0rtz. Try 5p0rtz’s Beat the Streak Predictor and you could win £1million! Click here to play.
Raheem Sterling has come in for a huge amount of criticism from the English media and fans of Manchester City’s rivals over the past few seasons, but in the 3-2 win over Spain on Monday evening he netted his first goal for his country since a 2-0 win over Estonia in 2015, and the now 23-year-old then added another for good measure.
This answered perhaps what was the one fair piece of criticism about the former Liverpool man, that he is not composed enough in front of goal, and it should have Premier League clubs even more worried about facing Manchester City in the next couple of weeks.
The reigning champions have amassed 20 points from their first eight matches of their Prem campaign, putting them level with Chelsea and Liverpool, but their record of 21 goals scored and just three conceded gives them the edge.
Sterling has also started well, apart from on his return to Anfield, and he has four goals and three assists in his first ten matches in all competitions for his club. However, he was also in fantastic goalscoring form as City won the title last season, but he was not able to transfer this to England at the World Cup, despite playing in a front two with Harry Kane.
This meant he had failed to score under Gareth Southgate until Monday night in Seville, but now this weight has been lifted off his shoulders, the Jamaican-born star could go from strength to strength for City.
[ffc_insert title=”Try 5p0rtz’s Beat The Streak Predictor and you could win £1MILLION!” name=”Win £1MILLION with 5p0rtz” image_ link=”https://app.5p0rtz.com/?affiliate=FFCeditorialwidget” link_text=”Click here to play”]
Against Luis Enrique’s side, Sterling scored with both of his shots and his first finish smacked of a player who has far more confidence than anyone realised. His second was a tap-in after Chelsea man Ross Barkley had brilliantly found Harry Kane in the box, but we all know that you have to be getting into those positions to put the chances away.
During the game, Sterling also played one key pass and even won one aerial duel despite his 5ft 7in frame as he powered the Three Lions to a 3-0 lead at half-time.
Whilst he does still need to improve on his 75 per cent pass accuracy, there is little doubt that Premier League teams, starting with Burnley on Saturday, will need to be wary of the threat that a confident Sterling poses.
So, Manchester City fans, we want to know whether you think Sterling will score more than the 23 goals he got in all competitions for your club last season? Have your say by voting in the poll below.
