New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16. Sterling
Manchester City have been relatively busy over the last couple of weeks bringing in Fabian Delph & Patrick Roberts, although it remains to be seen if they join the likes of Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell on the list of players who have ruined their careers by moving to the Etihad. One player who is highly unlikely to join that list is Raheem Sterling. Having had their first two bids rebuffed by Liverpool they finally got their man, breaking the transfer record for an English player in the process. In all likelihood there will be another couple of arrivals at The Ethiad but even if there’s not, the arrival of Sterling and his hippy crack has significantly improved the City squad.
Raheem Sterling
Manchester City
Age: 20
Signed From: Liverpool
Fee: £49m
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It has been suggested that young Raheem would have been better served staying at Liverpool for at least one more season because this would have helped his development as he was assured of playing every week, unless he was feeling tired! However City have not spent £49m on him for him to sit on the bench and therefore I expect him to play a significant role over the coming months as City endeavour to reclaim the title. Despite what some might say, they haven’t signed him just because he’s English, the lad can play.
Having signed for Liverpool back in 2010 at just 16 years of age, he came to the attention of the masses in the 2012/13 season making 24 league appearances, scoring twice and picking up six assists. The following season saw him link up to devastating effect with Messrs Suarez and Sturridge, finishing the season with nine goals and seven assists. Much was expected of him last season, but like his teammates he struggled without Suarez and endured a rather disappointing season. However he still finished the season seven goals and 10 assists and was probably Liverpool’s best player over the course of the season.
There’s no denying that at £49m Sterling is overpriced but he has improved season on season, the problem he faces now is that he’ll be expected to do it every week. So where will he fit in at The Etihad? At Liverpool he played everywhere from right wing-back to centre forward so he’s certainly versatile and while he’s unlikely to be played as a wing-back at City his arrival undoubtedly provides Pellegrini with options. With more arrivals likely at the Etihad I expect City to play a 4-2-3-1 system this season with Sterling on the right of the 3, cutting in to support Aguero. Although he could also play in a more central role closer to Aguero.
As I’ve stated above I expect Sterling to be a regular in the City side with his dribbling and pace complimenting the vision and technique of David Silva and the firepower of Sergio Aguero. This should see him improve on the seven goals and 10 assists in registered last season, and with a starting price of just £9.0m he could very well offer some early season value.
Finally, it’s worth noting that young Raheem’s City career got off to a great start this morning scoring inside three minutes of his debut. It was a typical Sterling goal as he ran onto a pass behind the defence before slotting past the keeper, I suspect we’ll see plenty more over the coming weeks and months!
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I have a dillemma. I don’t see any strikers other than giroud as good enough as:
Aguero may be out
Rooney is dodgy at the best of times
Kane I think will have a severe case of second season-itis
Benteke can flop
Don’t want Costa as have haz.
Can someone tell me if I should run 4-5-1 or if I am wrong about any presumptions above. It just seems there are way more quality midfielders than forwards.
Not sure there are too many here that share your optimism with regards to Giroud! 😉
There are certainly more quality midfielders to choose from this year so 352 is a valid option. I wouldn’t recommend 451 though.
I think Rooney could do well this season as he should be the main striker. Also his opening fixtures are said to be against teams he’s done well against in the past.
We don’t know too much about Aguero’s fitness but I’d very surprised if he wasn’t starting by GW3.
You could get Costa/Rooney as a placeholder for Aguero until he’s ready.
Ok so maybe Rooney but as for lone striker united did just bid 80mil on muller 😉
Hi guys thoughts on my latest draft?
Courtois
Koscielny-Cedric-Richards
Hazard-Cazorla-Yaya-Milner-Ritchie
Costa-Rodriguez
Hennessey-O’Shea-Muniesa-Sakho
Nothing in the bank
@Tom, I be happy with that for now. While still being aware that their might be some tinkering to do as we edge closer to GW1. Let some of what you hear\see in the preseason and any new transfers dictate what players are set and who might need to make way.
Gents…took another look at my team. My thought, for now anyway, is to get rid of Mane for a cheaper mid and then get rid of Rooney to bring in Aguero by GW4 (city vs watford)…i think my rotation in defense is working until i hear of more transfers in the next 2 weeks..thoughts?
FYI, i would not be starting Dawson against city, i would have MIngs in GW1 and dawson on the bench of course…my mistake
This is my team got an idea of downgrading Silva -> Sterling and upgrading Mings to a 5.0 defender, should I do it?
Or downgrading costa to Ings so I can get Depay and Sterling as well !
2nd team is stronger, for me. You could still do the Sterling swap and use the money to upgrade Grabban. I think he’s a bit light for a starting spot in your team.
In 2nd is it good to downgrade Silva for Sterling that saves me 0.5 to upgrade Grabban or Mings ?
Also I don’t know why I don’t feel right about Costa ! But there are not many forwards out there Costa -> Giroud would be good and use that to upgrade Grabbam or Mings?
Sterling is £1m cheaper than Silva so that’s enough to get Grabban out for Deeney/Wilson. Either would be an improvement on Grabban.
Cheers Kop, i reckon he’s in for a big season. Pretty hefty attack they have there now.
Thanks Kop, can’t have been easy that!