Man City’s Raheem Sterling could become ‘one of the top Premier League players of all-time’ – Joe Cole
Man City’s Raheem Sterling could become ‘one of the top Premier League players of all-time’ – Joe Cole
Former Chelsea and West Ham star Joe Cole has lavished praise on Manchester City star Raheem Sterling, on the back of the English international’s latest superb showing versus Chelsea.
Man City run riot
Pep Guardiola’s champions welcomed Chelsea to the Etihad yesterday, for a Premier League clash.
The Citizens headed into proceedings aware that a 3-point haul would see them reclaim top-spot in the English top-flight.
And, when all was said and done in Manchester, not only did City secure 3 points, but the Manchester giants also laid down a marker to the rest of the Premier League with an absolutely stunning performance.
The hosts burst out of the blocks to essentially kill the clash as a contest within the opening half-hour, courtesy of goals from Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero (2) and Ilkay Gundogan.
Aguero then went on to clinch his hat-trick early in the second-half, before Sterling added further gloss to the scoreline with City’s 6th ten minutes from time.
35-2 – In 2019, Manchester City have won their seven matches in all competitions at the Etihad by an aggregate score of 35-2. Fortress. pic.twitter.com/hCapNIr4IG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 10, 2019
Sterling praised
Unsurprisingly, the aftermath of City’s drubbing of Chelsea saw Sergio Aguero take the majority of the plaudits, after the Argentine hitman broke the Citizens’ all-time league goalscoring record, and equalled Alan Shearer’s long-standing Premier League hat-trick record:
11 – Sergio Aguero has scored his 11th @premierleague hat-trick, equalling the record set by @alanshearer. Special. pic.twitter.com/6itjyZ0Kvc
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 10, 2019
However, it was another of City’s star men who has since been singled out for special praise by former Chelsea attacker Joe Cole.
Speaking earlier today in the aftermath of his former side’s embarrassing showing at the Etihad, Cole waxed lyrical about Raheem Sterling, revealing his opinion that the 24-year-old could yet go on to develop into ‘one of the top Premier League players of all-time’:
‘I thought he was a massive talent. I think he’s turned himself into a top, top player and a lot of credit has to go to Pep Guardiola and people like that.’
‘But the lad takes on lessons and you look at the positions he takes up and the amount of goals he scores now. And at the age he’s at there’s still extra levels to go.’
‘We could be talking in five years time as Raheem Sterling being one of the top Premier League players of all-time if he keeps on winning trophies, keeps on scoring goals.’
‘Mentally indestructible’
Cole also went on to praise Sterling’s mentality, before adding that English fans should feel ‘lucky and proud’ to have a player of the City standout’s talents amongst their ranks:
‘The great thing about him is, he’s had a move from Liverpool to Manchester. There’s been a lot of weight on his shoulders.’
‘He’s taken that on and he looks almost mentally indestructible at the moment.’
‘Just to get into that team is a thing in itself. But he’s one of the top players in that team. And that is some going. We should be lucky and proud that he’s an English player and to have him in our national team.’
“We could be talking in five years time as Raheem Sterling being one of the top Premier League players of all time.’
Joe Cole believes @sterling7 is transforming into one of the greats under Pep Guardiola at @ManCity #PL pic.twitter.com/Cyd6P4t6tW
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 11, 2019
Sterling himself has since replied to Cole, thanking the 37-year-old for his kind words:
Means a lot thx Joe 🙌🏾
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) February 11, 2019
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February 11, 2019 at 11:47AM
