Michael Owen has raved about reported Tottenham transfer target, Raheem Sterling, and his ability in front of goal for Manchester City.
The former England striker claimed that Sterling isn’t a natural goalscorer, but says he times his runs ‘perfectly’ and scores lots of tap-ins, as a result – he scored 13 Premier League goals this season and has 109 goals from 320 matches in England’s top-flight.
Sterling’s contract at the Etihad is due to expire next summer, with no clear indication as to whether he will sign on the dotted line.
That has resulted in transfer rumours emerging that he could head for the exit door this summer, with Tottenham being one of the clubs keen on his talents.
Owen was a master at scoring goals during his playing days and, as he told Channel 4, he sees one in Sterling.
“I don’t think he is a natural goalscorer,” said Owen. “But what he has done is started timing those runs into the six-yard box.
“How many tap-ins does he score? That’s not just luck. A lot of players like pulling out and getting on the edge of the box, these midfield players, because there is space around them and they feel more secure.
“Going into where the bodies are you think ‘I am going to get a chance’. But Sterling does and he times his runs perfect and scores plenty of goals from it.”
STERLING WOULD BE A STATEMENT SIGNING BY SPURS
If Spurs weren’t in the Champions League, then there is no chance they would land a player of Sterling’s quality.
But now they are back with the elite, this is the time for them to push their chest out and sign a player of the Englishman’s quality.
The England star’s ability to play across the front three, be in the right place at the right time and produce crucial goals would elevate Antonio Conte’s side.
But it would take some serious dough to sign him and Tottenham have proven over the years, under Daniel Levy’s ruling, that they aren’t the type of club to splash serious cash on proven players.
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