Football News: Man City Should Steer Clear Of Sterling

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Manchester City go into this season having failed, again, to defend their league trophy, finishing second behind Chelsea. The chairman has made it clear that they will build a side to win the league, rather than finish second again.

The question is whether this time they can build a side for the long term, that can win and continue to win, as well as actually challenge in European competition. The evidence suggests that their buying policy is badly flawed, with little focus on those things that turn a good team into a great team.

Players like Mangala, Fernando and Fernandinho show why this is a side that struggles in Europe, they were bought for their physical attributes, rather than their technical ability. Jesus Navas is another one, all about pace, power and direct running, rather than skill.

The club seems to lack direction, flip flopping from bringing in the David Silvas and Samir Nasris one window, to the Mangalas and Fernandos in another. Now they are flip flopping once again in a desire to fill their homegrown quota, as the academy is not yet ready to produce players to round out the squad.

The offer they have made Liverpool for Raheem Sterling displays a clear desire to get players in early, to allow them to settle, but I question the wisdom of a move for Sterling. While his potential and talent is unquestioned, his attitude shows signs of a few issues in the future.

This desire to force his way out, while still only young, rather than waiting until the right offer came in and asking for the deal to be done, shows a lad that is not thinking about his career. His agent, Aidy Ward, has to take a great deal of the 'credit' for the attitude, but bringing Sterling in, while he is still involved with Ward, is a huge mistake.

Ward is a man with an agenda, there is not even any pretence of doing what is best for the player's career, and this is not the only time that his greed has been on show for all to see. His attempts to force a move for Saido Berahino from West Bromwich Albion to anywhere that offers big money were only halted by Tony Pulis standing up to the demands and refusing to cave in.

The problem with an agent like Ward is that he will never be there to guide players in the right direction, he will not help them, he will enable them to fulfil their greed, but it will lead to players with little drive to improve. It is plain to see the difference in attitude just in two young players at Liverpool right now, Jordon Ibe is enlisting the help of Kenny Dalglish to work with him on his game over the summer, while Raheem Sterling is taking midseason breaks.

Raheem has the potential to be a truly great player, but he needs to be surrounded by the right people, which means Aidy Ward needs to go, and be pushed harder to achieve. Joining Man City for the money is not the right step for his career, he should be joining Citeh when he is ready to win trophies, not moving for money.

Man City need more players like Sergio Kun Aguero, who take steps when their form dips, such as visiting a dietician recommended by Tata Martino, the same one that has put Lionel Messi on a whole new level as a player. Raheem is clearly looking for the easy route to the top, that is not going to be the way to make the most of his talents.

Written by Tris Burke June 12 2015 11:43:49