That impressive double accolade is the latest recognition of the 24-year-old’s huge impact for City this season with Sterling emerging as a key component in our quest for an unprecedented English treble.
And a closer breakdown of Sterling‘s eye-catching statistics and qualities this season merely amplify the factors behind his richly-deserved recognition amongst his peers and the press.
So far, Sterling has registered 23 goals for the Club across all competitions and weighed in with 17 assists to boot.
In the Premier League alone, Sterling has been directly involved in more goals than any other English player this season, scoring 17 and providing 10 assists.
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Sterling has also completed more than 1094 passes over the course of City’s 36 Premier League games to date and has also struck the woodwork on three occasions.
The winger is also something of a lucky talisman for the Club to supplement his natural ability.
Remarkably, City have gone on to win each of the last 26 Premier League matches in which Sterling has found the target.
Sterling’s versatility is another standout hallmark of his game. A selfless team player, he has performed with distinction whether asked to play on either the right or left flanks or being deployed more centrally.
His pace stretches teams and his ability to go past defenders is vital in helping to create space.
But it’s that flexibility that is perhaps his most potent weapon. His ability to play on the left, the right or through the centre, gives manager Pep Guardiola plenty of options.
And if City’s strikers are unavailable, he can play as a False 9. It’s yet another key reason why he has become indispensable.
That all-round ability is also reflected in his league goals spread with 11 coming with his right foot, four with his left and Raheem also registering a couple of headers into the bargain.
Sterling also possesses a steely nerve too to supplement his natural ability – the most compelling evidence of which came in our dramatic Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea when Raheem smashed home the decisive spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out to secure us the trophy.
“Pep didn’t watch it and asked me where it went. I said: ‘Top bins,” Sterling memorably revealed afterwards.
Of course, that level of productivity is nothing new for Sterling. He managed 23 goals in 43 matches in all competitions last season, supplying 17 assists along the way.
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Sterling also created another notable landmark last month as he recorded memorable hat-tricks for both City – in our 3-1 league win over Watford – and England in the Three Lions 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifying win over the Czech Republic.
In the process, Raheem became the first player to score a hat-trick for club and country in the same month since Alan Shearer way back in September 1999.
Following that Watford treble, City skipper Vincent Kompany saluted Sterling‘s impact, saying: “From the moment Pep [Guardiola] came in he just kicked on and went from strength to strength.
“For me, he is one of the best wingers in the world. He’s so important for us. To have the ability to unlock defences when they defend with so many bodies is the sign of a top, top, top player.”
Such is his impact, Sterling has also a talisman for England with national manager Gareth Southgate a huge fan of his qualities and impact on and off the field.
“Raheem’s in a really confident moment, not only on the field but off the field he’s so mature and comfortable in himself,” Southgate said after his treble last month against the Czechs.
“He’s a role model for the younger players coming in and he’s enjoyed that extra responsibility as well.”
Suffice to say then that, by any numbers, it has been a season to remember for Sterling.
