Jermain Defoe has claimed that he was ‘surprised’ that Manchester City sold Raheem Sterling to Premier League rivals, Chelsea, this summer.
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker added that he feels Sterling is an ‘underrated’ figure and he scored ‘important goals’ for Pep Guardiola.
Chelsea paid £48 million for the 27-year-old (Sky Sports), which in today’s market is a pretty good price, especially with the ridiculous fees being thrown about for other players.
Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who has one goal and assist to his name as a Premier League player, is a sought-after figure this summer after thriving in the Championship with loan club Sheffield United last season.
Nottingham Forest are keen to sign him and it is suggested that they are closing in on a £40 million transfer for the player, if that’s the case, then it makes Sterling’s move look like an absolute bargain.
Nonetheless, when talking about Sterling’s qualities, his rise from Liverpool as a youngster and his success at the Etihad, this is what Defoe had to say about the player, as he told Premier League Productions.
“I was surprised Manchester City let someone go with those sort of numbers,” said Defoe. “Under Pep, I think it’s Aguero, then Sterling, in terms of goals and assists.
“He has to play and is too good to be sitting on the bench. But he deserves a lot of credit for what he has done.
“When he was at Liverpool, the potential was there, but it was something that he had to add to his game, the goals and the assists.
“What he has done since then, he was one of the key players at Manchester City and he is underrated. Important goals as well.”
STERLING AND JESUS OUT….
If a player within the Manchester City camp wants to leave, then Guardiola doesn’t come across as the type of coach that will block their passage out.
The regular starts decided to fade away for Sterling in recent times and he decided to return to London, and donning Chelsea colours, was his best option.
Sterling should have scored on his Premier League debut for the club on Saturday, but Thomas Tuchel’s side still walked away with a 1-0 win against Everton.
The Englishman wasn’t the only one to depart this summer because the versatile talents of Gabriel Jesus are now being showcased on the Arsenal stage.
With Erling Haaland through the doors, Guardiola might not miss the above duo much, but it does put more pressure on Jack Grealish to perform, and if he doesn’t, then it doesn’t bode well for the club.
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