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Theo Walcott being ruled out of the World Cup meant that it was all doom and gloom in England, as the team’s already slim chances at the FIFA World Cup came down further with their best wide player missing out. But, one person’s loss is another person’s gain. And Walcott’s loss could well be Raheem Sterling’s gain.
Sterling has had a stellar last two months in the Premier League, devastating full-back after full-back with his pace and trickery. Sterling has improved so much from the raw 17 year old who was thrust into the big game against Man City last season, to the more composed player that he is now. He has grown after a berating from Brendan Rodgers during the 2012 pre-season tour to America, that was publicly aired in the documentary, ‘Being Liverpool’.
Sterling has been an integral part of Liverpool’s attacking force alongside Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho. While Suarez and Sturridge have taken a lot of the plaudits for their goals, much credit has to also go to Sterling. He puts in a lot of work on the flanks, and makes sure that he always tracks back, to help his full-back while defending. Right from the age of 14, Sterling has been in the news, especially in his native Jamaica, whom he rejected for England.
Liverpool signed him up from QPR in 2010, for a fee of 600,000 pounds that could rise to 5 million pounds based on appearances. Sterling immediately starred in the FA Youth Cup. He even scored 5 goals in one game against Southend, as boss Kenny Dalglish was just beginning to take notice.
He made his full debut in March 2012, when he came on as a substitute in a league match against Wigan Athletic, as he became the second-youngest player ever to play for Liverpool. Sterling impressed towards the end of the 2011-12 season, and when Rodgers took over, he further improved leading Rodgers to put him alongside Luis Suarez in Liverpool’s attack. Last season, Sterling scored two goals, and also got his first England call-up. When he lined up for England against Sweden, he was among the youngest players ever to play for England.
Sterling this season, is a much improved player. Liverpool have been devastating on the counter attack, and that is down to how well they have used Sterling’s strengths to their advantage. While he has always had raw pace, something that has improved this season, is the quality of his delivery, the final passes. That has led to him becoming more actively involved in the good things that Liverpool are doing. Also, Sterling has improved his play off the ball. He makes much more intelligent runs than he used to, and he has begun to time his runs to absolute perfection.
Steven Gerrard called him a very tough nut to crack, and when Gerrard says that about someone, you can’t help but take notice. For a man with a frame as slight as Sterling, he is unbelievably strong, and with experience, the off the ball aspect of his play can only get better.
So, while Walcott maybe ruled out, and others like Ashley Young and Aaron Lennon not doing too well, Raheem Sterling has a genuine chance to land himself a spot in England’s flight to Brazil, and who knows, maybe play an active role in England’s Brazilian adventure as well.
