So what’s all the fuss about Raheem Sterling then?
Liverpool have beaten out a host of Premiership clubs to sign teenage sensation Raheem Sterling from QPR, signing the 15 year old on a £300,000 contract yesterday.
Dubbed as the “next Theo Walcott”, the wonderkid has signed a contract until 2014 andwill join Liverpool’s academy, with further instalments being paid to QPR if the youngster breaks into the first team. Liverpool beat the likes of Manchester United, Man City, Fulham and Arsenal to sign the attacking midfield prodigy.
Lightning quick, Sterling is rated as high as Wayne Rooney was at that age, with QPR’s Head of Development Steve Gallen has heaped praise on the England U-16 international, saying:
“(Sterling) has loads of natural ability. This boy can pass, shoot, head it, score goals, tackle, defend, anything.”
The signing of Sterling represents a major coup for Liverpool and Academy Director Frank McParland in their bid to develop their academy. Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow has hyped up his new signing, saying:
“We have made clear that we will invest in outstanding young talent. Raheem is a very exciting young English player whose progress was being closely monitored by many other leading clubs and I’m delighted he’s joining us.”
Liverpool’s desire to develop their academy is a result of the massive debts incurred by the American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, which mean the club cannot splash out millions on expensive new signings for the foreseeable future. Investing in youth is a policy that has worked wonders for Liverpool’s chief rivals like Arsenal and Manchester United, with Wenger and Ferguson masters at bringing young talent through the ranks at their clubs.
Rafael Benitez is not known for bringing in young talent and integrating them into his team, with youngsters like Lucas Leiva, David N’Gog and Emiliano Insua being brought in from elsewhere. Whatever happens though, Sterling has star potential and is an undeniable talent, and can help Liverpool build for the future by attracting other potential stars to join the Liverpool academy. It will be a few years before we start seeing him in the Liverpool first team, but the 15 year old has the real potential to be a star and live up to the mantle of being the next Theo Walcott.
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Wenger & Ferguson bringing through youth !!!! who ???? Walcott, Ramsey, Fabregas, Silva’s, Rooney all bought in. Please explain ?
I’ve heard all kinds of great stuff about Sterling from my friends who support QPR and they are gutted he’s gone. He really is highly rated by people involved in youth development as well.
‘The next Theo Walcott’. So an over-hyped, over-rated player.
I’ve seen Raheem and he has better ability on the ball than Walcott and actually looks like he has a football brain. All Walcott knows how to do is dribble.
walcott, side midfielder/winger/striker.
raheem, attacking midfielder, so where the comaparision cum from??? :S
Hmm, Deano, who has Fergie brought through the ranks without bringing them in . Try the class of ’92, or a little more recently Wes Brown, John o’ Shea, Darren Fletcher . Need i go on .. Doubting Fergies ability to bring players through is frankly laughable. And Wenger hasn’t done too bad himself .
If i remember correctly walcott, ramsey, fabregas, silva’s and rooney were all bought in with the potential to be world class. Look at Fabregas and Rooney now 2 of the best players in the world and the others will follow.
all comments about man utd bringing potential stars currently… all of u saying rooney, da silva bros, tosic, and others… rooney was brought for 30m,about 10m more than torres, when he was under 20… how can he not be a star? da silva bros were bought for 2m each at the age of 16, meaning they were already good, tosic and ljajc were bought for a combined 16.5m, but the ljajc deal was cancelled and the club returned man utd 6.5m, meaning tosic was a 10m buy… the new age star man utd created is evans….
I’ve not seen anything of this kid but let’s face it, he had the attention of the big clubs so he must be a prospect. I wish the best of luck and welcome to our football club.
This is Anfield!
It’s no secret that United and Arsenal were after him too, as well as Man City.
Good luck Raheem, make us proud.
If the Raheem Sterling could only be dubbed the next Theo Walcott, then he could not be much of a talent. What’s more, after a year under Rafa’s tutelage, Raheem would be devoid of all skills and confidence as a footballer.