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ANALYSIS: Sterling provides Man City with extra flexibility

Raheem Sterling has become the most expensive English footballer in history after his £49M ...



ANALYSIS: Sterling provides Ma...
Soccer

ANALYSIS: Sterling provides Man City with extra flexibility

Raheem Sterling has become the most expensive English footballer in history after his £49M transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City was confirmed.

The England forward will wear the No 7 shirt at his new club.

While one number - his transfer fee - has been the big talking point, his role on the pitch will be more important when it comes to judging him.

Ever since Manuel Pellegrini has been in charge of City, he has often favoured a 4-4-2. But while that formation is not always exposed at Premier League level, it can be exposed on the Champions League stage, especially when the lack of tracking back from the likes of Yaya Toure is taken into account.

The Chilean manager did play a formation a 4-2-3-1 at times during the last campaign and Sterling's flexibility could be a boost.

With the England international on one of the wings and capable of providing a more direct threat and ability to stretch play than a Samir Nasri type attacking midfielder, it could allow for David Silva to take on a roving role behind Sergio Aguero.

Sterling attempted just shy of three dribbles per game last season, whereas Nasri averaged 1.1 attempted dribbles.

It would be difficult to envisage Sterling being restricted to the role of a an old-school wide player in a 4-4-2, and the added benefit is that his Liverpool career has shown his ability to adapt if required in a more central space, either as a front-line forward or at the tip of a diamond.

They will also be counting on his goal threat. Only once in four seasons at City has Nasri hit more than double figures in all competitions, averaging about a half a dozen per season. Meanwhile, Jesus Navas only managed single goal in all competitions in 2014/15.

While Sterling is not a regular marksman, he has fared better over the last couple of campaigns, hitting at least double figures for Liverpool in 2013/14 campaign and the following season.

Whether he will end up justifying that £49M fee is another matter, but at least he gives Pellegrini headaches of another kind.

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