Raheem Sterling is destroying the Premier League, thanks to Pep Guardiola
Remember the timid, half-stepping Raheem Sterling from last season? The England Euro2016 scapegoat? You'd be excused if you'd already forgotten because that Raheem is gone. In his place, there is Pep Guardiola's Raheem, and he's an absolute monster.
Sterling's been everywhere for City this season. He's got two goals and three assists in just four appearances, and he's back to making defenders look foolish just about every time he gets on the ball, averaging 3.7 dribbles per game; some of the Premier League's best numbers so far.
From the moment he arrived, Pep took Sterling under his wing, and imbued him with a newfound confidence. Guardiola even confirmed that it wasn’t any tactical or technical training that has Sterling back in top form, but a case of helping to adjust his mentality.
“Raz now feels the love – and believe me, that is the difference," Guardiola said. "I mean, do you think that I can improve his skill in just one-and-a-half months? No.”
Sterling became the target of ridicule and hatred after pushing through his £49 million move from Liverpool last season. He was (and still is) booed throughout the country, as supporters around England loudly and vocally let him know their thoughts on his perceived money-grubbing ways because how dare a player demand what the market tells him he's worth.
Despite starting well for City, Raheem faded in the latter half of the season as his form dropped, fatigue set in, and the pressures of his price tag and the constant ire of opposing fans started to get to him. He ended his season in the worst way possible, going out of Euro 2016 with England not with a bang, but with a whimper. It looked bad for the boy.
Then Pep Guardiola showed up.
Guardiola even called Sterling during Euro 2016 to help lift the little wideman’s spirits, and it seems to have worked.
During his brief time under Guardiola’s leadership, Sterling has rediscovered the joy and freedom that seemed to propel him forward during his Liverpool days. He was always a fantastically dynamic player, full of running, invention, assists and goals, and all the verve and energy that earned him his move to City in the first place has returned. Where he was indecisive and timid last year, he is now bold, committed and just plain exuberant. He’s enjoying his soccer and it shows.
What Pep Guardiola’s done with Sterling isn’t magic or miracle work. It’s just plain good coaching. At just 21 years old, Sterling is far from the finished product, and he’s still developing as a person, not just a footballer. Guardiola recognized that his confidence was shot, and he’s worked to re-instill his sense of belonging and give him back his belief. Pep has, of course, already greatly affected Sterling and the rest of his City teammates with his tactical philosophy, but the biggest thing he’s done for Sterling is to give him back his confidence. And it’s paying off.
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