You know that feeling when you don't realize how good something is until it's gone? That basically sums up the vibe around Raheem Sterling and his seven-year stint at the Etihad. When he left for Chelsea in 2022, there was this weird, mixed reaction from the fans. Some were gutted. Others felt like it was "time" for a change. But if you look at the raw numbers and the sheer amount of silver he hauled in, it’s honestly wild that there's even a debate about his status.
Sterling wasn't just a winger who happened to be there during the Pep Guardiola era. He was the engine for a lot of it.
We’re talking about a guy who played 339 games and scored 131 goals. He didn't just stat-pad, either. He was the one popping up at the back post in the 90th minute when City were staring at a frustrating draw. You remember that Bournemouth winner in 2017? The scenes were mental. That’s the Raheem Sterling Manchester City fans should probably remember more often.
The "Romário-fication" of Sterling
People forget that when Sterling first arrived from Liverpool for £49 million, he was a bit of a raw project. Fast? Definitely. Clinical? Not even close.
Under Manuel Pellegrini, he was mostly a touchline hugger. Then Pep showed up and everything shifted. There’s this great story in Martí Perarnau’s book about how Guardiola and Mikel Arteta basically re-taught Raheem how to stand. Literally. They wanted him to stop being "scared of the goal."
They called it the "Romário-fication." The idea was to get him off the wing and into the "six-yard box" territory.
- The Transformation: He went from 6 league goals in his first season to 18 the next.
- The Peak: In the 2019/20 season, he hit 31 goals in all competitions. For a winger who "can't finish," that's a pretty hilarious stat.
- The Playstyle: He developed this sixth sense for where the ball would land. If Kevin De Bruyne whipped a low cross across the face of goal, you bet your life Sterling was there.
It wasn't just about the goals, though. His movement dragged defenders all over the shop, which opened up lanes for guys like David Silva and Ilkay Gündogan. He became a master of the "half-turn," receiving the ball and exploding into space before a fullback could even blink.
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Why things got messy at the end
Honestly, the way it ended was kinda sad. By the 2020/21 season, the relationship between Sterling and Pep started to fray. It wasn't one single thing, but a slow burn of being benched for the "big" games.
There was a reported bust-up in March 2021. Sterling was allegedly fuming about being left out against Southampton and made his feelings known in Pep's office. After that, he was basically a "bit-part" player for a while.
Even though he started the Champions League final against Chelsea—which City lost—it felt like the trust was gone. Pep started favoring the control that players like Jack Grealish or Bernardo Silva offered on the wing. Sterling wanted to play every minute. He’s a rhythm player; if he’s not starting, his confidence dips.
He eventually left for Chelsea because he didn't want to be a rotation option at 27. You can't really blame him for that. He had already won four Premier League titles, five League Cups, and an FA Cup. He’d completed the game in England.
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The stats that don't lie
If you’re still on the fence about whether he’s a "legend," just look at where he sits in the history books.
- Top 10 Scorer: His 131 goals put him 10th on City's all-time list. He’s ahead of legends like Niall Quinn and Francis Lee.
- The 100 Club: He became the 32nd player to score 100 Premier League goals, and he did it at just 27 years old.
- The Iron Man: He hit double figures in every single season he played at the Etihad. The consistency was actually ridiculous.
He was also a huge figure off the pitch. Getting an MBE for his work against racial inequality wasn't just a PR stunt; he was one of the first high-profile players to really put his neck on the line and speak up when it wasn't "cool" to do so.
What most people get wrong
The biggest criticism of Raheem was always his finishing. Yeah, he missed some sitters. That miss against Lyon in the Champions League still haunts City fans' nightmares.
But here’s the thing: he only missed those chances because his movement was so good he was getting five "big" chances a game. Most wingers don't even get into those positions. He was a volume shooter. If he missed one, he’d be there two minutes later to try again. That mental toughness is something City have occasionally missed since he left.
How to appreciate the Sterling era today
If you want to truly understand his impact, go back and watch the "Centurions" season or the 2018/19 domestic treble run.
Focus on his off-the-ball runs. Notice how many times he occupies two defenders just by standing in a specific spot. That’s the "expert" level of football that stats don't always catch.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Study the back-post run: If you're a young winger, watch Sterling's 2017-2019 tape. It's a masterclass in timing.
- Value availability: Sterling was rarely injured. In a world of "load management," his ability to play 40+ games a season was a massive asset for Guardiola.
- Look past the misses: Judge a forward by how many chances they create, not just the ones they fluff. Total goal contribution (G+A) is a much better metric for Sterling's value.
He might not have a statue outside the stadium yet like Kompany or Aguero, but Raheem Sterling’s Manchester City career was legendary by every objective measure. He was the face of the most dominant period in the club's history. And honestly? They haven't had a winger quite like him since.