RAHEEM MAKING A LATE RUN FOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
YOu only need to look at Raheem Sterling’s numbers to see what an outstanding season he is having.
his hat-trick against Watford took his goal tally to 15 — just three behind Manchester city team-mate Sergio Aguero in the race for the Golden Boot — and he has assisted another nine.
It is the timing of his runs that makes Sterling so prolific. he is always looking to get in behind defenders and into danger areas.
Too many wide players want the ball to feet so they can show off what they can do on the ball, but it is easy to receive the ball, do a stepover and pass it sideways.
What sets the best wingers apart is what they do off the ball. Sterling does not care about tricks or flicks. he is always looking to make those runs that ask questions of defenders.
All but one of his goals this season have been scored inside the penalty area with seven of those in the six-yard box. It does not matter if the goal he scores is scruffy. Sterling now plays with a hunger and desire to get on the scoresheet however he can.
There are aspects of his game that he could improve — such as his finishing technique — but he is setting the standard for wide players in the Premier League.
Any young winger should watch how he plays. callum hudson-Odoi is a brilliant talent but when I have seen him for chelsea, too often he wants the ball to feet.
It is far harder for a full back to deal with a run in behind. The way Sterling (left) is playing is like watching Mo Salah last season on his way to winning Player of the Year. When it comes to this award, timing is everything.
If I had to vote now, I would still go with Virgil van Dijk. But if Sterling keeps up this form and scores the goals that propel city to the title, he has to be a strong contender.
I GET why Javi Gracia rested seven players at Manchester City. Watford are in no danger of relegation and want to give themselves the best possible chance of winning Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace. But after Troy Deeney set up Gerard Deulofeu to score just 17 seconds after the pair had come on, I couldn’t help but think a full-strength side would have caused City real problems. It may have been a different story had that goal been the opener and not a consolation.
PIERRE EMERICKAUBAMEYANG showed real bottle to take a penalty the week after missing one... and even more to put it in the same place. After killing off Manchester United, it was fascinating to hear him explain that he missed at Spurs because he looked at the ball. He wants to keep his eyes locked on the keeper and try to second guess them.
THEY may still be in the bottom three but Cardiff’s victory over West Ham has given them a fighting chance of staying up. Neil Warnock said his side would play on the front foot and that is what they did, going after West Ham from the off. With Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United still to play, it was a game they had to win.