Liverpool's Raheem Sterling is going nowhere - but needs to ask who is looking after his best interests after contract snub 14:31, 15 March 2015 By James Pearce
RAHEEM STERLING’S contract situation is an unwelcome distraction amid the serious business of Liverpool’s pursuit of Champions League qualification and FA Cup glory.
Talks have stalled over a lucrative new deal and now it looks increasingly likely that the impasse will continue into the summer. Sterling has turned down an eye-watering amount of cash.
Currently on a basic salary of around £35,000 per week, which is inflated by various performance related bonuses,
Liverpool have offered to nearly treble that to around £100,000 per week in a new five-year contract. It’s a sum of money which Anfield officials believe reflects Sterling’s development and his growing importance to Brendan Rodgers’ side.
But for Sterling and his representative Aidy Ward, it’s not enough. Nowhere near.
Ward insists Sterling should be on a par with the club’s highest earners and wants parity with Daniel Sturridge, who is on around £150,000 per week. There is a school of thought that Liverpool should simply cave in and pay Sterling what he wants. If they did that the contract would be signed tomorrow.
There are fears among supporters that if Liverpool don’t cough up, one of Europe’s top clubs will seize the opportunity to lure him away. Having lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona last summer, the prospect of seeing another key player depart is understandably a major concern.
But
the reality is that in the near future there is absolutely no chance of Sterling going anywhere. His current deal runs until 2017 and Liverpool have no intention of entertaining offers for him this summer. There will be no pressure on them to sell - regardless of whether they make the top four or not.
Sterling must start asking questions “I’m just focused on my football, I leave the talks to my agent,” said Sterling recently. But the youngster needs to start asking himself who exactly is looking after his best interests?
It was back in October that Liverpool opened negotiations with Ward, who is in the process of splitting from Impact Sports Management and setting up a new agency.
Every week that the Reds’ latest offer remains unsigned, Sterling is losing out financially as he remains on the salary he agreed back in December 2012.
Maybe Sterling’s mind has been filled with promises of the real riches coming his way when Real Madrid come knocking.
But for all the speculation, it requires a serious leap of faith to believe that the Spanish giants would break the bank to get him. They buy off the top shelf and Sterling isn’t in that bracket - yet.
Yes, he’s supremely talented and was pivotal to Liverpool’s resurgence under Rodgers after being moved into a central attacking position back in December. He’s joint top scorer with Steven Gerrard on 10 goals this season.
But at the age of 20, he is still learning his trade. The idea that he should command the same salary as 25-year-old Sturridge is crazy.
Liverpool have been so good for Sterling No doubt Sterling is repeatedly told how good he’s been for Liverpool but he should also remember that Liverpool have been good for him.
Since his arrival from Queens Park Rangers for an initial fee of £500,000 in 2010, they have nurtured his career.
Rodgers inherited a raw teenager in 2012 and has given him both the stage and the guidance to blossom.
At no other elite club would he have clocked up 118 appearances at such an early age.
The England international has been lucky to play for a manager so committed to putting his faith in youth.
History is littered with examples of talented English youngsters chasing the cash and their careers quickly nose-diving – like Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair when they joined Manchester City.
Liverpool won’t back down over Sterling. If they did it would open up a can of worms with other players’ representatives banging on the door.
It’s a tricky balancing act for clubs between rewarding success and ensuring motivation remains.
“If young players get too much, too young then it really sabotages their development,” Rodgers said recently. Sterling needs to take another look at that offer on the table and bring this saga to a swift conclusion.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpools-raheem-sterling-going-nowhere-8844928 篇文有分析成個形勢同談判過程
同埋其他因素好似經理人同sterling自己心態點影響局面
同意作者講，sterling有潛力但未係最top
20歲拎15萬太大貪了。。。
利物浦其實好睇重佢、對佢不薄
冇謂扭計，得些好意啦
[ 此帖被羅力亞在2015-03-17 02:07重新編輯 ]
