Raheem Sterling has dominated the back pages recently, but has he been unfairly criticised because he’s young or has he thrown his toys from the pram?
The Sterling saga continues to rumble on and seems to be coming to a quite public and inevitable conclusion – Sterling’s Anfield departure. Rogers has claimed the young Englishmen could still see out the remaining two years of his current deal at Liverpool but he seems to be the only one to be quite so optimistic.
Raheem Sterling has received massive amounts of criticism for how he’s dealt with his contract negotiations – but is it fair? To a certain extent, yes. But it needs to be put into perspective.
Sterling seemingly burst onto the scene after being given a shot in the first team under Rogers. He enjoyed a meteoric rise that saw him travel to Brazil, and start, in England’s World Cup team last summer. He also lit up the Premier League and, alongside the likes of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, help carry Liverpool so close to the title. All before his 21st birthday.
This season both Sterling and Liverpool have not enjoyed the same level of performance. While Sterling’s stats are impressive, they have gone largely unrecognised, being lost in Liverpool’s mediocre performances. Many would argue it has been Coutinho that has shone for Liverpool this season rather than Sterling.
But Liverpool’s mediocre league performances are of significance in this debate. Sterling is a young player that seemingly has the footballing world at his feet, with he likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Arsenal monitoring the player.
He knows he has options, and as a young player he has options to win major trophies. Following an incredibly disappointing season for Liverpool this season, that culminated in a 6-1 thrashing at Stoke on the last day of the season, what is keeping Sterling at Anfield?
It is unlikely they will challenge for the title next season, they failed to qualify for the Champions League and even the manager’s future is uncertain. Yes, Liverpool fans will argue that he owes the club after the gave him his break and made him the player he is, but is he really expected to stay, turning down some of Europe’s biggest clubs?
Many say Sterling is a money-grabber for turning down a £100,000-a-week deal, but what if he didn’t do it for money? What if as a young, ambitious footballer he wants to win trophies and play against Europe’s top clubs?
As a Spurs fan I’m in no position to judge, but if you were Sterling what would you do – stay at Anfield, travelling to Russia and Greece to play in the Europa League alongside the likes of Sakho and Joe Allen or take the opportunity to move to Manchester City or Arsenal to play in the Champions League alongside the likes of David Silva, Sergio Augero or Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil? I know what I’d do.
In footballing terms, few can be-grudge a young, incredibly talented footballer wanting to move and challenge for trophies. Also, it is worth mentioning James Milner’s current situation. He has recently been offered a new £135,000 deal at Manchester City but he is yet to commit his future to his current club.
Why? Is he greedy? No, he’s a professional. He’s currently at Manchester City who may well challenge again for the title next season, who have cemented themselves a place in the Champions League and he’s been offered bags of money – but he’s not getting the game time. Liverpool and Arsenal have voiced their interest in taking Milner away from the Ethiad and Milner could guarantee himself more first team playing time if he turned down the new mega-contract and moved away.
Few are criticising Milner, and quite rightly so, because he has every right to make decisions in regards to his footballing career. As does Sterling. So what’s the difference?
The differences are twofold. Firstly, Sterling is young. A 20-year old turning down a £100,000 suggests greed, many thinking he just wants more money to blow on sports cars and mansions. While Milner at 29 is considered a seasoned professional, making calculated decisions in regards to his footballing future. This, I feel, is an unfair and unwarranted view. Sterling and Milner both just want what is best for their respective careers, age should not be a factor.
Secondly, and this is the main issue – the manner in which Sterling has gone about making his decisions. This is where I feel Sterling deserves the criticism he has received. The whole saga has been so public because Sterling has made sure it is. Interviews with the BBC without the clubs consent or knowledge, his agent attacking ex-Liverpool players and legends. He’s shot himself in the foot.
Sterling’s agent, Aidy Ward, is supposed to be the player’s main help throughout this process but he’s been Sterling’s main hinderance. Referring to Anfield-favourite Jamie Carragher as a “knob” is never advisable, especially as Sterling is still technically a Liverpool player. This won’t help his cause with the fans or the staff.
Any agent, including Ward, will say the same thing if asked about negotiating deals – “I’m just trying to do what’s best for my client, that’s my job”. The irony is that in trying to do so, Ward has made the process a lot harder for Sterling. By making his issues with the club so public, Ward has made the inevitable departure less beneficial for both Sterling and the club.
The club are likely to receive less for the player now as interested parties no doubt look to exploit the shattered relationship and be cheeky with their offers. Also, as Sterling now has no future at Anfield with the fans because Ward has helped isolate him, he will likely feel forced to leave this summer, again with clubs likely exploiting this in their contract negotiations.
So, it would be unfair to criticise Sterling for being a money-grabber as I feel he most likely wants to leave to progress his career and win trophies. But he and his representation have certainly gone about it all the wrong way – and for this it is no wonder Liverpool fans have turned on Sterling and his agent.
Once he lost the fans it makes it very easy to simply accuse a young footballer who has turned down a £100,000 deal as being greedy and ungrateful. If I was a Liverpool fan I’m sure I’d struggle to sympathise with Sterling and his major career decisions.