RAHEEM STERLING has cemented his status as one of the world’s most lethal forwards following another devastating start to the season.
The Manchester City and England superstar has been scoring for fun as he continues to take his game to new levels under Pep Guardiola.
Before the Three Lions’ clash with Kosovo, their manager Bernard Challandes joked that the only way to stop him is by breaking his legs.
The comments may have been enough to prevent Sterling from scoring but he still caused chaos in the Kosovo defence as England ran out 4-0 winners.
His assist for Marcus Rashford’s strike in the 83rd minute meant he has now been involved in an incredible 30 goals this season in all competitions.
That includes finding the net 26 times and notching four assists in 32 appearances.
A breakdown of the goals include seven in the Premier League, five in the Champions League, two in the Nations League, two in club friendlies, eight in the European qualifiers, one in the League Cup and another one in the Community Shield Finals.
STERLING’S ON FIRE
And it turns out that not even the best players in Europe can compete with his form.
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has 21 goal contributions in 15 appearances while Harry Kane has 26.
Spurs ace Kane has found the net 23 times including six Premier League strikes.
Karim Benzema has remained a mainstay in the Real Madrid team and it is no surprise with 15 goals and five assists.
Wonderkid Kylian Mbappe has 18 goals and four assists in all competitions while injuries have disrupted both Neymar and Lionel Messi’s seasons.
The only man he can’t match is Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski who has an incredible 33 goals and two assists.
Sterling’s form comes on the back of the 31 he scored during the 2018-19 campaign — by far his best season in front of goal.
And he puts it down to maturity.
Asked how he has become more clinical in the last 18 months, Sterling, who joined City from Liverpool in 2015 for around £50million, said: “One is age.
“I was 19, 20 when I came to City and I was nowhere near the maturity level I am now.
“Another is being in a good team. And then it is down to yourself, it’s what you want to do in football.
“Do you want to be a winger who takes ten people on and does nothing or do you want to be someone who helps win games for your team. I think it comes with maturity.
“I keep learning each day to be better at it and to be involved in the game and be effective.”
Raheem Sterling has been in incredible form this seasonCredit: Reuters
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
