Few players in the Premier League can match his goals and assists numbers and aged just 23, it seems the sky is the limit for the Blues’ No.7.
Here we look at how Sterling’s productivity has increased to unprecedented levels over the past four seasons and the underlying trend that suggests he is in for his best season yet.
2015/16
Played: 47 Goals: 11 Assists: 10
Raheem’s start to City life wasn’t bad at all.
Still perhaps dealing with the high-profile move from Liverpool and the media attention focused on him, the then-20-year-old settled into his new club steadily.
Manuel Pellegrini played him in most games that season – he missed only seven Premier League matches and made a strong contribution to the Blues’ run to the Champions League semi-final.
With 52 shots, 22 of which were on target, Sterling was directly involved in 21 goals in 2015/16.
2016/17
Played: 46 Goals: 10 Assists: 19
Pep Guardiola’s first season as City boss saw a marked improvement in Raheem’s contribution, particularly in terms of assists.
The England winger created 19 goals for his team-mates – almost double his first year’s tally – and was directly involved in 29 goals for the Blues, an improvement of almost 30%.
With his new manager demanding even more in terms of productivity, he took Sterling under his wing somewhat, seeing the potential for him to develop into a great player.
His 64 shots on goal – 22 of which were on target – is again an improvement on 2015/16.
The bar had been raised – could he do even better the following campaign?
2017/18
Played: 46 Goals: 23 Assists: 17
If stats alone prove a player is improving each season, Raheem’s numbers for his third campaign are nothing short of stunning.
The 23-year-old was directly involved with 40 City goals during our Centurions campaign – an astonishing return that continues to improve each season.
Easily his best campaign yet, his 23 goals put him second only to Sergio Aguero as the Club’s top scorer.
Raheem was getting in better positions and taking more responsibility in the box and his 87 shots – 35 of which were on target – suggest he was getting an average of three shots on the money every three games he played in.
Moreover, he created 17 goals for his team-mates as well as hitting the woodwork on four occasions.
And Pep won’t mind about the 12 big chances missed because it will mean Sterling was in the right place at the right time more than any other time in his career to date.
Just imagine – it half of those woodwork strikes and big chances had gone in as well, Raheem would have finished 2017/18 with more than 30 goals.
2018/19
Played: 14 Goals: 7 Assists: 7
Raheem has started the current campaign in razor-sharp form.
He is already averaging an assist or goal for every game he’s played so far and, with a dozen games before we move into 2019, he looks likely to top his 2015/16 and 2016/17 stats before the New Year has even begun.
His superb goal against Shakhtar and two goals and two assists against Southampton reflect an incredible four days.
His projected stats based on what he’s achieved so far, mean he is on target to beat what was a superb campaign last season.
And with a starring role and two goals ending a barren run for England in his last appearance, Sterling looks set to repeat his breath-taking club form at international level.
No wonder Pep was so keen to tie him down to on a long-term deal…
