NOTHING for a fortnight and then two in two days? What’s going on Salmon? What happened to this ‘zen-like calm about everything’ that you were waffling on about yesterday?
It’s okay. I’m still calm, still chilled, still absolutely at one with everything and positive about everything to come. And, at this very moment, the specific thing that I’m cool about is Raheem Sterling.
Oh, Raheem. Raheem. You’re a bit daft aren’t you? A bit silly? Bit too sure of yourself? I mean, I rate you, I really do; I think you’re a pretty smart player and all that, probably a bit more instinctive than thoughtful. You’re capable of that goal against Newcastle. You’re capable of that run through the middle against Chelsea. When you don’t have to think, that’s what you’re capable of. When you’re given time to consider your options, when you’re given time to think about things, that’s when you make the wrong choice. Open goals. Open goals all over the place. Making the easy decision seems to be an issue for you.
Just in case you’re wondering Raheem (‘cos I’m sure you’re reading this and I’m sure you’re arsed about what I think) Yes, that IS the heaviest, most obvious, most ham-fisted metaphor in the history of…well, history basically. Thought I’d make it obvious. Thought it might be what you need.
See, me and you are differing on one major fundamental here. Not just me and you, obviously; me and the other 40,000 that go the match and you. We’re differing on this; YOU think you’re the finished article, the rest of us aren’t quite as convinced.
(Obligatory musical aside: I need music in order to write, can’t be doing with silence. Need the right music, can’t be just anything. This is currently coming to you courtesy of Lou Reed’s ‘Street Hassle’. I’ll warn you, it’s not the cheeriest tune on Earth and I’ll need to write this quickly before we hit Metal Machine Music and everything gets nasty)
So, Raheem, sorry, I hadn’t intended to address you directly, really wasn’t going for one of those embarrassing open letter things, didn’t want to be all ‘Piers Morgan’ about the whole thing but, hey, you take what you get, get what the muse gives and all that writerly bollocks — you’ve decided that you don’t really fancy getting on a plane and going off on a pre-season tour with the rest of the lads. At least that’s what ‘reports’ say. And nobody seems to know where these ‘reports’ come from. It doesn’t seem to be ‘Sky Sources’ (ie. Twitter), it’s just reports but they’re all saying the same thing so let’s accept that they’re true shall we? You don’t want to go on tour and you don’t want to be at Liverpool. You’re basically *this* far from doing the ‘going on strike’ thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh-wGEP4930
And let’s get this out there right away: I’m not happy with the idea that Benteke might go on strike to come to Liverpool, I wasn’t particularly comfortable with the idea that Adam Lallana was agitating for his move from Southampton in a similar way. I’m not being hypocritical. Not about this. I might be about other stuff but I’ll always hold my hand up and cough to it. Not this though. I’m being consistent with everything that I’ve thought and said about this before.
Which is:
I’d prefer to keep you, Raheem. I thought that you’d look at Firmino, look at Coutinho, look at Ings (maybe), look at Sturridge getting fit again, look at Nat C and Jimmy Milner *wanting* to be at Liverpool and think ‘you know what? Quite fancy this tbh’ (cos I’m sure all you young people think in Twitter speak all the time) and decide that there was something happening here and you might not know what it is or whether it’d work but maybe it could be nearly as much fun as you had that season that Luis was here and you’re give it a crack. But:
(Soz, Metal Machine Music’s kicked in. At a suitably dark moment as well)
That’s not happening. You and the bloke that’s getting the nice big one-off payday from the move have decided that you’re not doing this. You’ve decided that you’re going to City. Part of me — the part that went on the podcast and said it — wishes you well and gets it, really gets it, gets why you’d fancy City and if I was your mate I’d be sitting there going, ‘Go for it Razzer, lad (presume they all call you that) make a fortune, play in the Champions League, win the league, win trophies’. Just like City did last season. Oh yeah, that’s right. But still. Still kinda get it.
But then there’s the other half of me. The chilled half. The half that thinks that we’ve finally started thinking and acting like a big club at long bloody last, a club that does its business behind closed doors and keeps its gob shut and doesn’t even comment on that business ONCE IT’S BEEN DONE. The half of me that thinks ‘what can we do that’d be a laugh?’
And that half is going:
Nah.
That half is sitting down with you. Not your agent, not inviting that blert. (Do love the fact that the word ‘blert’ has made a 21st century comeback). That half is sitting down and saying ‘you getting on the plane?’ and when you say no, that half is saying ‘right, you’re training with the kids, we’ll get Pepijn to work on your finishing for a fortnight, see you when we get back’ and as that half turns to leave, it turns back in a Columbo-esque ‘just one more thing’ manner and says ‘and we’re not answering the phone to any bugger’.
I’m split then. I know you’re not staying now, I know that’s not an option anymore so I’m split two ways and I’m not sure which way to go because I’m not sure which way amuses me more.
I can do this: I can ring City and say ‘£60million’. You heard me. Sixty. Yes, I CAN put the price up, can put it up any bloody time I want. Ring me back in 10 minutes and it’ll be 70. Give me until the 1st of August and you’ll have to go out and buy Paul Pogba because I want Pogba AND cash. I am, quite frankly, taking the piss. Because I can and because I feel like it. Because it’s funny and I feel like having some fun.
Then there’s the other way. The way that QPR really won’t like. And they won’t like it because they’re getting no money from it this way.
READ: RAHEEM STERLING – TIME TO GO
How much did you cost us Raheem? It’s okay, I know the answer, £600,000. Which rises to £5m depending on appearances. Let’s say it’s five mill then shall we? And you’re on what? £35k a week. We know this, we offered you more and you didn’t fancy it. So. SO. If we don’t get a penny back for you then we’ve probably — and I haven’t done the maths on this because maths isn’t fun and this season, I’ve decided, is all about fun — lost less than we did on Downing. Or Aquilani. Or Big Andy. Or the whole Hodge debacle. And if we sell you we lose 20 per cent of the cash to QPR.
Cool. You’re in the ressies. Enjoy. Rest of your contract, under-21 football. What’s the problem? You’re under 21, that’s where you’re supposed to be isn’t it? And I know, I know, you’re a talented lad — need to work on the whole finishing thing and the thinking thing but still talented — I’m cutting off my nose to spite my face. But — and it’s a massive but this one — It’s MY nose, it’s MY face and I’m prepared to do whatever I want in the name of fun.
What’s that? Buy out the last year of your contract? Cool. that’ll be the 2016-17 bit then? Okay, year in the ressies and then give us best part of £2m in order to go away. Let’s do Python on this: “You’re born with nothing and you die with nothing, what have you lost? Nothing.” We’ll have lost nothing. Spare change. You’ll have spent a year in the stiffs. A pretty useful year in terms of career development. Wasted.
What’s that, Raheem? Vindictive? No mate, I’m not being vindictive. I’m just having a laugh. And you like a laugh don’t you? I’d say that we’d all seen the videos of you having a laugh but someone sold them to that rag didn’t they? Just to piss us off a bit maybe? Didn’t work really, just meant that we feel like taking the piss a bit now.
Quite simple. You’re messing with the wrong guys. You getting on the plane then?
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I really do think we should hang onto him. It isn’t about spite. We don’t want to set a precedent by caving in. Any player who comes to this club in future must understand we will not be bullied; he will be held to his contract.
It is lucky I’m not running the club because the minute he said he didn’t want to tour the price would have gone to 60m. Not turning up for training? 70m.
Given that he hasn’t put in a transfer request, he can’t really want to go, can he?
He stays. For two years. On 35 grand a week. If for no other reason than it is a perfect opportunity for the club to make it clear to blood-sucker agents that Liverpool is not to be fucked with.
Somewhere out there, right now, Ward is slapping himself on the forehead and saying, “Of course, the transfer request!”
Congratulations, Jase, you jinxed it! ;)
Ward comes across as such a Neanderthal ‘grab ’em by the hair and drag ’em in the cave’ kind of guy, I could almost believe that he is indeed, at this very moment, thinking: “Hey Raheem! I’ve heard that some guys who want to leave put in a transfer request thingy. Hang loose man, while I find out what it is.
I don’t understand this whole argument about not setting a precedent – most clubs will take the approach of selling replaceable players when a transfer offer is made which greater than their on actual value, and I have no problem with LFC doing so also.
Surely the whole approach of spitefully holding onto players would likely make it more difficult to sign players to long term contracts, if it just convinces them that they won’t be able to escape the club should they ever become unhappy at the club for some reason.
For the love of god, he is a footballer, he plays a game for money, chill out, he is not the first and won’t be the last. You cannot blame anyone who ply’s his trade for not having the same emotional entanglement as you do.
Yeah we should all be sound with him taking the piss, undermining the manager and creating negative stories. What a fucking top lad.
Yeah that’s your job!
#fuckaroundgang
Raheem needs to take one for all the future wannabes that get their heads turned by greedy agents. I get the argument that LFC should have offered him a contract sooner however, as his agent i would have been saying before the end of that season what about a New contract? Raheem still had 3 years to run and was asking for a New contract
Cont
Raheem had only just established that hé was a first team réguler and at the time when hé could have signed a New contract hé changed agents.
With 2 years Left i would keep him in the u21 until November and not have him near the first team. Let him watch IBE take his chance, or Origi, or Ings.
Then see if hé wants to play football again.
LFC do not need to sell him
Hé cost us no Money and hé is on low wages, let him sweat and train with the kids, when hé grows up and learns a bit of humilité, then let him back to train with the first team .
But teach all these superstar kids a lesson and make him an example of how not to do it.
He turned down a good contract that could have had a release clause in that suited both parties, he has been given time off for a holiday in winter and been Molly coddled more than any young player in LFC history.
Make him realise how lucky he is, he will be better for it
Hi,
Nobody is asking the lad to have any emotional attachment to the club. Just asking him to do exactly what he signed his contract to do. If its me or you we have to give notice to leave our jobs normally. In his case its a transfer request, put one in and get the money back off city.
Personally I like the ask city for 60m – more for us – more for QPR – and as some of their support have been pointing out to us on TAW they can afford it.
People are saying if he hands in a transfer request he loses his loyalty bonus which is apparently why he hasn’t done so
It’s about respect mate, and he doesn’t respect anyone,
Not really all that fussed by all the gamesmanship. City pays up and he goes, if they don’t he doesn’t. Whatever shit he gets up to doesn’t really bother me, been there seen it before
Love it mate, If I was as eloquent I would have said exactly the same.
I generally start off in a similar vein but the thought of this lad who came to this country with nothing, was welcomed with open arms and started his career with a really good club. He was offered the chance to join Liverpool to progress his development which he accepted with open arms and has been given chances not many other players only to disrespect the club and the supporters sets my teeth on edge and ruins my train of thought, but I’ll try to continue with gritted teeth.
Anyway!
Brendan Rodgers saw something in the lad (that’s all he is, a lad) and took him on tour to America where the bad side of the Sterling character started to rear it’s ugly head when he had to be slapped down in full view of the cameras.
Brendan Rodgers continued with his faith in the boy even through his brushes with the law, his dabbling with substance abuse, to an extent he is to blame for his present club missing out on the Champions League with his lacklustre performances for the last few months last, he knew Brendan wouldn’t drop him, in fact he got an extra holiday and has played the club like a fiddle. Well now he should be dropped to the academy have his wages docked for at least the next season, see if anyone wants him then.
Certain young people these days have this attitude that they want respect from everyone, well I’m very sorry Mr Raheem Sterling but respect has to be earned.
I really respect Jordan Ibe and Danny Inggs who returned early to begin their training, and in Ibes case having practice sessions with the King he gives respect and gets it in return, the right way, the Liverpool way. Unfortunately all I see for Mr Sterling is more run ins with authority and probably jail unless he gets help and advice from somebody other than Aide Ward who’s a disgrace to my family surname.
Rant over.
Your third paragraph actually describes Glen Johnson. When acting on instinct he is a lovely player; forced to choose, he was, is, and remains an ordinary player.
When Sterling first arrived, I was impressed with his skills but unimpressed with his football nous, and posted a comment to the Wrap on which I said something along the lines of ‘In a years time we will all be saying “Whatever happened to that Raheem lad?” The second half of the season just finished, I revisited my first impressions. I truly think we should cash him in. Players learn how to contain players like Raheem, and the second half of the season was much like his first season. Maybe he wanted away, but maybe the absence of S and S gave defenders more time to work him out. Or maybe he is another Johnson. He needs to ponder on the fate of past boy wonders. Squads like City’s can devour kids like Raheem.
I don’t think they can learn to contain Raheem’s speed off the mark, which is why all the top teams are in for him. Rodgers, was the one to really make him realise how to use that by getting him into little pockets of space centrally where it is really dangerous, instead of leaving him out on the touchline where even when he beats his man he gets caught over the distance. This was one of several really innovative things that Rodgers did in 13/14 that many of the “it was all Suarez, I want Klopp” people don’t give him credit for.
The latest news is that he has no problem playing for Liverpool but not while BR is manager. Oh and he has not turned up for training today, is that respecting his contract?
Just saying that to make himself not look as money greedy as he’s appearing to the whole world right now, I think
As an aside, only players over 28 can buy out their contract.
Players under 28 can buy themselves out of their contracts if they’re three years into that contract and provide the appropriate notice, although it is rare and Sterling signed his contract mid December and I think that timing has an impact. Melissa Reddy explains it in depth in her “Raheem Sterling Time to ward off the knobs” article
Loved this article, totally sums up how I feel, on balance I have to agree with the stick him in the reserves just because….. I hate to see any player act like they are bigger than the club. He signed the deal, he should stick to it, he rejected improved terms. He should remain on 35k and see who still wants to buy a sulking youth team player in 12 months
How’s this for street hassle:
The manager says: ‘Your attitude you need to improve and your work. You need to improve your attitude.’
Sterling clearly disagrees and says ‘steady’ to which Rodgers replies: ‘You say ‘steady’ to me again when I say something to you and you’ll be on the first plane back.’
Sterling’s protestations of innocence aren’t picked up by the microphone, but Rodgers continues: ‘You know what you said, I know what you said. You’ll be on the first plane back.’
Pointing to some of the senior first teamers, he says: ‘You should be like sponges here, learning off these guys here. You’re very very fortunate to be here.’
Rodgers then singles out the Academy striker Adam Morgan for praise, adding: ‘Make sure when you’re here you show the attitude of this kid here who works his socks off, who listens, who learns, and will get his rewards.’
How’s Adam Morgan’s career going?
How’s Sterling’s going?
dear god I love this piece. well done, m8.
Spot fucking on! Let this child rot in the reserves. Don’t even let him train with the rest, don’t let the infectious attitude of this ungrateful little shite spread. Don’t let him improve his game, which needs much of it. Have him run laps all session, every session. Humility and finishing are the things he lacks most, as well as respect. Then sell the turd to some cut rate team in some cut rate league, all to make an example of his arrogance. Recall the Yale of Icarus anayone?
Sterling needs to go, the situation is unsalvageable. Something I can’t quite get my head around, the media have reported that Sterling went to Rodgers and said whatever he needed to say “blah blah I want out, blah blah I’m not going” and somehow this information manages to find its way to the press….how exactly? And why isn’t Rodgers’ bit of the dialogue in the papers( I really would’ve liked to have been a fly on the wall)? In other words, what I’m saying is, the club has its hands firmly in the mud here too.
Why does the club have its hands in the mud….why couldn’t it have come from Sterling like so many other stories in the past 6 months or so…and why would it be coming from the club if they were going to deny he made those comments and as you say there is nothing about Rodgers side of the conversation. We can try to balance things out in a misguided attempt to be fair but the bottom line is that Sterling is a little shit. I’m not a Rodgers fan but no way can he and for me even the club be blamed for any of this. Talented player but like on the pitch, his decision making is shit.
Its simple, if Sterling wants the press to know what his intentions are (which really isn’t news by the way) theres nothing stopping him/ his agent from going to the press. It really achieves nothing on his end, it puts no more pressure on the club than what was already there, everything thats in the press right now has been in the news since January, his message is out and as visible as it gets. Again, theres absolutely nothing earned.
Whereas the club has earned something, further victimhood. From a PR perspective. the club is exactly where it wants to be, Sterliing the aggresor, turning his back on the people who gave him all he has for nothing, out of the goodness of their hearts and all that, even refusing (initially articles say it was a request not a flat refusal) to go on preseason, whereas it seems in some minds the club is completely angelic in its business dealings, hands clean, no responsibility whatsoever.
These people are businessmen who are playing the game,they’ve got a contract, it doesn’t matter finance wise, him going into a office and telling a manager he wants to leave doesn’t mean anything for his value, but his image is shattered and he’s being pushed closer to a point where he capitulates/hands in a transfer request in other words, this puts Sterling under more pressure. I’m not here to act like I wouldn’t do something like that, I would, thats just how it works.
Or maybe I’m incorrect and the club is innocent and responsible for absolutely no wrongdoing. Very possible by the way, Im not being sarcastic. Its very possible that Ward didn’t think it through and realise something that we all knew whithin five minutes. All the media pressure in the world means nothing to the club.
Highly possible that Ward didn’t think this through as the man seems incapable of thinking of anything except dollar signs.
I don’t see how this is in the club’s interests for a second. It means is that the option of keeping Raheem for the first team is off the table, which is what Ward wants
I was wrong in suggesting the situation is unsalvageable, it actually is, both parties probably need to apologize to one another first. People forget very quickly if things go well.
If Ward and Sterling leaked then I’m not sure how that would close the keeping him for the first team route, the one who would be aggrieved ( Sterling) would have done it to himself so there would be no reasonable bad blood from his side, again just apologize and its like nothing happened. Theres nothing they can do to be honest to shove the club into the corner, the only thing to do is for City to pay what he is worth to the club. (I’m of the belief the club is justified to value him at 50 million)
Although, truth be told I’m becoming more and more wary of the press as this goes, they slicing quotes every chance they get to fuel the fire.
Whatever the situation may be, it does not mean that Sterling has to go. On the contrary, I think it means Sterling has to stay. The club needs to make a stand and I hope it does.
As for whether the club’s hands are ‘muddied’? Sterling and his agent want a big pay day. Don’t forget, Sterling has put money into Ward’s business, probably because Ward promised bigger cuts of transfer fees etc – and now that Berahino has dumped Ward, the agent has an awful lot of eggs in one Sterling-shaped basket. If he doesn’t engineer a big money move for Raheem his reputation is irretrievably down the toilet.
This is a rather important year for Sterling. He’s coming near the age when goal scorers establish themselves. There were tons of 21 year olds finding the nets this year — Icardi, Vietto, Depay, Berahino, Kane, Dybala — and Sterling turns 21 in December. If he does not kick on, his value will go down this year because he’s gone from being a bet on great potential to whether he’s producing on the level of his peers.
Two year or maybe even one year ago, you would have bet on him to keep going. Now, it’s not so certain, is it?
But what would Everton’s Wayne Rooney be worth in today’s market? What would Leeds’ Rio Ferdinand be worth? And Liverpool is a better club than both of those.
He has to be sold, but there’s no hurry. I would go ahead and buy the striker LFC needs, and then wait it out. His replacement is already here, whether it’s Firmino or one of Ibe or Markovic, and it’s not like you’re replacing Suarez’s production, despite Sterling’s ability and potential.
The latest spin from Sterling’s camp is so transparent.
The Mirror have carried the “Sterling doesn’t want to play for Rodgers” story under a John Cross byline. John Cross has been fed a number of stories by Aidy Ward during this whole saga, and this is clearly straight from Ward. I very much doubt that Sterling himself has said anything of the sort.
It looks like Ward is panicking that City are not going to come in with a significantly increased offer and his big pay day might be on hold, unless Sterling can agitate enough to make Liverpool let him go at what we would regard as a discounted price.
Liverpool are not going to blink on this, and I suspect a deal will eventually be done at 45 mill.
Amen. Amen Ian Salmon! AMEN!!!
He is 20 years old and thinks he knows everything. Like most of were at 20. We had all this pitchforks and flaming torches mock outrage when Suarez was supposedly engineering a route out. This can still be salvaged.I would keep him and if Brent is the problem get rid of him
– Stand firm and keep him
– Tell him, his agent and the press we won’t sell for any price… £70M/£80M/£90M etc..
– Fine him for breach of contract
– Make him train alone until he gets back on board and apologises
– Make it clear he will never be in the starting 11 until we deem he has learnt his lesson
– Tell him to enjoy the £35k per week for the next 2 years as we have no interest in negotiating with Aidy Ward ever again….
Regardless of what the media claims, we hold the cards! This way we either get Raheem back firing on all cylinders…or we get the deal we want, with or without his idiot agent.
I almost fell sorry for poor old Aidy Ward…
You see the little cherub thinks is about to become a super-duper-agent, a stable of superstars moving from LFC to Manchester, Manchester to Madrid.
He can then make his millions, become the go-to agent for the worlds best almost-players and manufacture their careers with guile and craft and wit, one-day World Cup winners would call him ‘Aidy mate, please be my agent’ they’d say.
Every manager would have him on speed dial (cue background harp music) ‘Aidy we need you to help us get X’ they’d say.
His friends on whatever Fleet Street is now called call him for tidbits “Aidy my man, the BBC gossip pages don’t fill themselves, what have you got” they say.
He’d be the envy of mere-mortal-agents everywhere.
You see he had this Stirling kid and another kid called Berahino.
So, master plan into action, start agitating moves for both of them, they’ve outgrown these tiny little clubs you see, it’s no good for their development. “your marvellous” he purred into each of their ears, ‘stick with me son and we can both live in the manner to which we would like to become accustomed’.
Young Raheem, he grabbed it with both hands. Perhaps startling poor little Aidy a bit, with his enthusiasm to play silly little playground games on the Fields of Anfield Road. Aidy was really quite excited, his soon-to-be-friends in Manchester and Madrid were hearing his name and dammit they wanted to talk his language.
“So Raheem, here’s the plan” he said one night over a canister of laughing gas and the dye was cast.
Poor little Aidy though, he didn’t realise did he, bless him the cherub had no idea that his talents and experience in the big boys leagues of Mendes et al were somewhat lacking. “£900k per week, Jesus it’s like minimum wage in Liverpool you know” #facepalm
And now suddenly it would seem his friends in Madrid have new friends and his friends in Manchester seem to have not quite brought all of the hype, at least not £50m of it.
Now our hero is sat, sobbing himself to sleep thinking ‘how do I get myself out of this fine mess’. He reads somewhere that the fans want young Raheem to rot in the reserves, bugger.
Ok, straighten yourself up Aidy lad, all may not be lost. After all, Raheem wasn’t the only soon-to-be best player in the world you were, what’s that word, oh yes… ‘helping’.
Young Saido is ready for plan B, but no… what’s this. Young Saido began to carry out the plan but didn’t seem to like the plan. He saw his friend Raheem trying to act like he was a 28 year old Wayne Rooney, ask to leave get more money – the ways it happens when your a great player with years of experience and a great cabinet of medals.
So Saido, seemingly somewhat more blessed in the above the shoulders department than Raheem, quietly says “do you know what Mr Ward, Aid rather look somewhere else for my advise”.
So all in all, I feel a little sorry for little Aidy, bless him.
Great Article and I totally agree especially as I am at the point now where I think Raheem has to think/realise that there are consequences outside of his bubble – is been his way for the most part in this saga but he can’t really complain now if the Club decide to fight and stand their ground and he stays (rots whatever phrase people want to use) and sees his contract out.
I agree that he has played in numerous roles has had hopes pinned on him, has been touted as true top European Teenage Pedigree and the club can’t have it both ways and not pay him accordingly but I believe in all of this it is ultimately his own reputation as a human being he needs to consider most. It’s not good at the moment and that may be unfair on him and his advisors have been rightly questioned but he needs to be responsible for himself too.
So if he goes good luck, all the best – but it should be acceptable to the
Great Article and I totally agree especially as I am at the point now where I think Raheem has to think/realise that there are consequences outside of his bubble – is been his way for the most part in this saga but he can’t really complain now if the Club decide to fight and stand their ground and he stays (rots whatever phrase people want to use) and sees his contract out.
I agree that he has played in numerous roles has had hopes pinned on him, has been touted as true top European Teenage Pedigree and the club can’t have it both ways and not pay him accordingly but I believe in all of this it is ultimately his own reputation as a human being he needs to consider most. It’s not good at the moment and that may be unfair on him and his advisors have been rightly questioned but he needs to be responsible for himself too.
So if he goes good luck, all the best – but it should be at the fee the club deem acceptable to their valuation and if that isn’t met them I’m with Ian – lets lighten up and have a laugh
We should let him go for £40m if that’s City’s last offer. I can’t believe City would be stupid enough to part with £30m for him, never mind £40m. Newcastle just signed that Wijnaldum for £14m and he’s streets ahead of Sterling. Fuck me, I’d take that Montero of Swansea over him. Can’t wait to see the back of the greedy little fucker. Good riddance. Wouldn’t let him rot though – then everyone loses. If he stays we, the fans need a massive apology from him and he needs to eat a massive slice of humble pie and practise his shooting and final ball.
Sell Sell Sell…..
He won’t come back to haunt us.
Wingers can go either way.
Either they understand that they don’t just need the physical attributes they are blessed with but they also need the mental/tactical attributes to align with the physical.
Shaun Wright Phillips and Aaron Lennon are examples of wingers who don’t “work it out” whereas Ronaldo (the manc one) worked it out.
Will Sterling work it out?
I don’t think so.
Also, We should be backing our club philosophy which is to produce our own talent and introduce it into the team at the right time.
This is surely the right time to introduce Jordan Ibe and give him his breakthrough season.
We have Ojo as well, who could fill the Ibe role from last season “cameo appearances” where possible.
Let’s use this situation to allow the team to get stronger.
Sell Sterling and buy the striker that we need.
Introduce Ibe with a few cameo’s from Ojo….
Where is the problem?
BBC news reporting £49m agreed, if that’s true then great bit of business.
Although City thought they had Fabien Delph this time Friday, what odds Sterling doing a statement that he’s staying put?….. Didn’t think so
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33497488
My word, City played hardball!!! Saved 1m!!!
This is a win-lose-lose situation, with LFC in the win position.
Here’s a shout for the new Raheem Sterling song…
Goodbye Raheem, goodbye Raheem
What Aidy wanted was obscene
Raheem goodnight, not sure your head’s on right
Quit huffing the gas at night,
Maybe one day you’ll see the light