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Raheem Sterling's Career Stats So Far Are Genuinely Ridiculous

Raheem Sterling's Career Stats So Far Are Genuinely Ridiculous

And yet he's still only 24...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Raheem Sterling's stunning 11 minute hat-trick in the 5-1 thrashing of Atalanta on Tuesday night in the Champions League means he has now reached double figures for seven consecutive seasons and quite frankly, the Manchester City winger deserves more credit.

Given he broke into the Liverpool first-team aged 17, it feels like Sterling has been around forever but his statistics so far are genuinely outstanding considering many had written him off and doubted his ability to consistently score goals.

Still only 24 and with improvements to make, he has notched 116 goals and 114 assists in 388 games for club and country. It's an incredible record and one that will surely get better in the coming years.

Having scored 48 goals in his last two seasons under Pep Guardiola, winning a total of five trophies, this campaign promises to be his most impressive yet in terms of numbers.

Already the former QPR youth prospect has 12 goals in his first 13 games so far this term and we're not even in November yet. With the help of Pep Guardiola's genius coaching, Sterling has transformed into a world-class talent who consistently produces big, game-defining moments.

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand believes Sterling is already a top five player in world football thanks to his blistering form.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"We are running out of great words to say about him," Ferdinand said on BT Sport after Sterling's first Champions League hat-trick.

"He is a young English player who has played a lot of games. He is still improving and adding more to his game. He is in the top five players in the world. I don't care who you mention.

"The effect he is having, the goals he is scoring, it is impossible to keep him out.

"Sometimes you are blessed to get a manager to learn from. Pep Guardiola coming at the time he did, to coach this young player with immense potential."

People scoffed at the Ā£49 million City splashed out to land him from Liverpool in 2015 but Sterling is easily worth at least treble that now and is well worthy of the improved Ā£450,000-a-week contract offer he is set to receive to quash interest from the mighty Real Madrid.

Image: PA
Image: PA

He's had to put up through with scapegoating at Euro 2016 as well as disgraceful treatment from the media and yet Sterling is still shining on and off the pitch.

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Topics:Ā Manchester City, Football News, Football, Sterling, England, Raheem Sterling