Summer 2022 Window Scouting Thread

[spursfan77]

There’s some absolutely hilarious takes about Sterling in here. I can only imagine it’s off the back of people’s football manager saves rather than watching his Man City games and goals. When he plays regularly for them he’s very productive.

I’m not his greatest fan and doubt it would happen but he’d elevate our attack considerably and would strike fear into most defences. Just watch his goals.

 

[journeyman]

There seems to be an attitude on here that we want strength in depth in attacking positions, but not anyone to seriously rival Kane, Son or Kulu… that’s lunacy! Look at Liverpool - Salah, Mane, Diaz, Firmino, Jota, Origi - outstanding options - City the same, and Chelsea - it’s what you need to compete at the very top in Europe and domestically.

 

[Deleted member 29446]

There’s some absolutely hilarious takes about Sterling in here. I can only imagine it’s off the back of people’s football manager saves rather than watching his Man City games and goals. When he plays regularly for them he’s very productive.

I’m not his greatest fan and doubt it would happen but he’d elevate our attack considerably and would strike fear into most defences. Just watch his goals.

So, have you by any chance seen this?

 

[sammyj]

Right I can’t take it anymore. No idea if we’re actually interested in him, but just in case here’s a Sterling breakdown.

Sterling is simply put one of the best attackers to ever play in the premier league. I know that’s a big statement, but statistically his goal scoring output puts him up there with the best to ever play in the league.

Here is a brilliant balanced write up about Sterling which shows his numbers compared to Rooney and Shearer. The stats a how in recent seasons he has started to produce conversion percentage numbers on par with the best strikers in the league (even with a dip last year). The article also offers insight into his incredible movement and ability to create high percentage chances for himself through it. https://theanalyst.com/eu/2021/03/raheem-sterling-premier-league-great/

Here is an in-depth write up about Sterling’s 2017/18 season which shows how he over performed his xG and explains why he was so much more effective in front of goal than Sane and Jesus https://statsbomb.com/articles/soccer/raheem-sterling-is-good-at-scoring-goals/

People often say Sterling plays with his head down and dribbles into trouble. And the first article does show how Sterling’s biggest “weakness” is how many touches he takes and his tendency at times to dribble into crowded areas to try and get a shot off, which leads to the opportunity passing him by. As you can see below he does take a relatively low number of shots considering the touches in the box he gets, but with good conversion.

View attachment 110864
Compared to Salah and Kane it’s not exactly terrible though. But what you also need to bear in mind is that he’s right footed and plays predominantly on the left, which causes this tendency to cut inside to try and get shots off. Regular watchers of City say that when he plays on the right and can no longer try the cut-in dribbles he likes, he is a better creative player and a more ruthless finisher because that option is taken away from him.

In summary, he’s criminally underrated, can play any position behind the striker and we’d be lucky to have him.

To be fair I don’t take any notice of stats if I watch a player and either rate him or not , you can tell who are great footballers by watching simple and when I watch Stirling he drives me mad like a dog chasing a balloon obviously he must be good to play for city but honestly for example Son pisses over him

 

[GMI]

There seems to be an attitude on here that we want strength in depth in attacking positions, but not anyone to seriously rival Kane, Son or Kulu… that’s lunacy! Look at Liverpool - Salah, Mane, Diaz, Firmino, Jota, Origi - outstanding options - City the same, and Chelsea - it’s what you need to compete at the very top in Europe and domestically.

I think the need for depth up front is recognised it’s just that, at this current moment, we need to prioritise improvements to the starting IX in other areas. Once we have achieved that then the rotation options up be become more viable. We do need six options in those front positions but better quality wing backs is a more pressing issue this summer.

 

[spursfan77]

So, have you by any chance seen this?

? not comparable players obviously but I get your point.

 

[bc205]

There seems to be an attitude on here that we want strength in depth in attacking positions, but not anyone to seriously rival Kane, Son or Kulu… that’s lunacy! Look at Liverpool - Salah, Mane, Diaz, Firmino, Jota, Origi - outstanding options - City the same, and Chelsea - it’s what you need to compete at the very top in Europe and domestically.

The argument is though that Sterling would only really be challenging Son though, as he's not nearly as effective through the centre or the right.

I'd love a player of Sterling's quality at the club. But in a summer where we need to add 6 new players at least, i'm not sure if it's the best idea to invest 30m (at least), and 300k a week, in a player who would only really be competing with Son.

If we are so concerned about squad depth, then we should be wary about dropping 300k a week on a player in a position where we already have a world class option. That cash could pay for 2 players in positions where we have a much bigger need for additional quality options, like wingbacks or LCB.

Unless we can shift Lucas and Stevie, it's unlikely that we are going to bring in more than one attacker. So i'd rather we go for a more versatile option, who can cover all 3 positions. De Ketelaere sounds like the most suitable and realistic option to me.

 

[NayimFTHL]

Depends what you are asking of them though doesn't it? If you want a player that can play anywhere up top and perhaps cover for Kane from time to time you go for Dybala. If you aren't that fussed and just plan to play them wide or in a 10 role then Prem proven Sterling could be the better option. Personally I believe we want the former and deputising for Kane will be part of the remit, which is why I'd pass on Sterling over a stronger more rounded forward player, but that player would be Nunez/CDK/Martinez and not Dybala.

Don't you reckon dybala would be the most ideal out of the ones you mention? Can play anywhere up top, as a number 10, is free and has mates already at the club.

 

[McFlash]

There’s some absolutely hilarious takes about Sterling in here. I can only imagine it’s off the back of people’s football manager saves rather than watching his Man City games and goals. When he plays regularly for them he’s very productive.

I’m not his greatest fan and doubt it would happen but he’d elevate our attack considerably and would strike fear into most defences. Just watch his goals.

I don't think anyone has said he's shit, or doubted his ability, just voiced their opinion that he's possibly not the best fit for us at this time.
With what we've got to do in the market this window and the places we need to upgrade on, his skillset does seem rather unnecessary at present.

I couldn't give two hoots about his stats for City, we're not City. We don't play the same and we have more pressing issues that need to be addressed.

As good as he may be, I just feel that our priorities lie elsewhere at this moment in time

 

[mr ashley]

There’s some absolutely hilarious takes about Sterling in here. I can only imagine it’s off the back of people’s football manager saves rather than watching his Man City games and goals. When he plays regularly for them he’s very productive.

I’m not his greatest fan and doubt it would happen but he’d elevate our attack considerably and would strike fear into most defences. Just watch his goals.

Totally agree

whilst I appreciate he’s not a perfect candidate to play as a cf back to goal etc it’s blatantly obvious from that video alone that he doesn’t solely play as a lwf.
he’s scored as many goals as rwf, and although a lot of his goals are tapins it’s clear that he attacks the back post well. It’s easy to imagine him getting on the end of crosses from wingbacks (like the son goal at the weekend), but he does score headers and goals from outside the box too.
my doubts centre more on the difference between the role of the forward three in contes system (tucked in more)and that of peps 433- which is all about stretching the pitch as wide as possible.
i could imagine a fluid front three of son Kane and Sterling, interchanging positions especially as son is so two footed. We’d also have two runners in behind to get onto through balls by either Kane or maybe even Eriksen.
There probably are cheaper options but we’ve not been told much about the prospective budget other than conte will be significantly backed so who knows?
One thing is certain. If we signed Sterling it would improve our attack options.
rwb/ LCB/cm first though

 

[Ghost Hardware]

There’s some absolutely hilarious takes about Sterling in here. I can only imagine it’s off the back of people’s football manager saves rather than watching his Man City games and goals. When he plays regularly for them he’s very productive.

I’m not his greatest fan and doubt it would happen but he’d elevate our attack considerably and would strike fear into most defences. Just watch his goals.

I mean on the flip side ….

 

[Cochise]

I mean on the flip side ….

Tbh, that compilation is quite cringe. A lot of those misses are good saves or shots from positions which would normally be saved etc

 

[spurs9]

Not convinced Sterling would want to come here and also not convinced City want to sell him, but if he was available at a decent price and wages, we should be all over it.

I think having a pacey wide player thst can play on either side that is a good dribbler and has good end product would be a great addition in attack.

To those who think he can only play on the left, city and Liverpool fans would disagree, in fact some would argue his better on the right. Also, those goal and assists stats playing on the right are excellent.

 

[topper]

Tonight's game wasn't a great advert of his (Sterling) technical ability or his clinical finishing to say the least

 

[Westmorlandspur]

We need a forward to play up front so we don’t have to play Kane every game . That is not Sterling.
No point buying someone just because he is a top player and available. Conte buys players who fit his system. Interesting to see who it might be.

 

[Now it's Spursonal]

Tonight's game wasn't a great advert of his (Sterling) technical ability or his clinical finishing to say the least

Scored a tap-in but missed two others. Feel like with our system its crucial that our forwards are ruthless with their chances, cause we definitely don't create as many as City

 

[ukdy]

Us getting Sterling is going to be like Traore. Everyone wetting themselves over it, ultimately it won't happen and it's wasted oxygen to even debate it.

Personally I don't think he'd fit a Conte team, especially with Kane. I hate seeing them play together for England as Sterling is selfish and stunts Kane's performances... in Gareth's pragmatic setup.

 

[delawarespur]

I’ve made up my mind. I don’t care that he’s 33, Perisic is nuts. He’s dominated the Copa Italia final vs. Juve. Up and down for 100+ minutes. Stifling and running past Cuadrado with ease. Ice cool pen in extra time and then a left footed rocket just minutes later. And he’s been insane this whole season, should win Inter’s player of the season. The fitness and athletic ability at his age are still at the top level. Ball striking elite with both feet; no weak foot. Consistent threat with his delivery from open play and set pieces. Will beat players 1v1. Not a liability defensively. Conte’s worked with him, got the best out of him (although he’s probably been even better under Inzaghi this season), and won a title with him. Sign him and prosper.

 

[bubble07]

I’ve made up my mind. I don’t care that he’s 33, Perisic is nuts. He’s dominated the Copa Italia final vs. Juve. Up and down for 100+ minutes. Stifling and running past Cuadrado with ease. Ice cool pen in extra time and then a left footed rocket just minutes later. And he’s been insane this whole season, should win Inter’s player of the season. The fitness and athletic ability at his age are still at the top level. Ball striking elite with both feet; no weak foot. Consistent threat with his delivery from open play and set pieces. Will beat players 1v1. Not a liability defensively. Conte’s worked with him, got the best out of him (although he’s probably been even better under Inzaghi this season), and won a title with him. Sign him and prosper.

Exactly. What a signing he would be. Free agent in 7 weeks

If we get CL we need to go all out and get him

 

[topper]

Scored a tap-in but missed two others. Feel like with our system its crucial that our forwards are ruthless with their chances, cause we definitely don't create as many as City

There was on particular chance late in the second half where he had a tap in at the far post and ended up tackling the post with the ball out for a goal kick!!