Raheem Sterling

[The_weatherman]

We're going to find it very difficult to get back in again. Just look at the table since 2009 and we've only finished ahead of Spurs once. I think sometimes we forget just how far we've fallen of late.

I think so too, we'd do well to finish fifth really, let alone fourth. We missed our chances, hard to say when we'll have another one.

[Kenneth]

We're going to find it very difficult to get back in again. Just look at the table since 2009 and we've only finished ahead of Spurs once. I think sometimes we forget just how far we've fallen of late.

Speak for yourself. But we have fallen, and we can't sign top draw proven players now, we struggled enough least season. We'll see what happens come the start of the season but it's not been a bad window so far, all thing a considered.

[Fosterbloke]

Its not over yet. He has to pass a drugs test first.

He'll definitely pass the sperm test.

[tanner]

I agree. He failed to step up to the plate last season when we really needed him. Possibly felt the pressure but there's going to be pressure at City too.

There's far more talent at City. I think he'll step up a level now that he has real quality around him, just look how he played when he had Suarez and Sturridge available. He'll have more freedom there and that'll suit him.

[Gazzla]

**** signing 'prospects'

Established, quality players is what we should be signing.

We ****ed up last summer by signing 'prospects' 'projects' and 'potential'

Totally agree however in the case of Firmino I'd say he's more than just potential he's very much for the here and now, current Brazil first team regular and with some fantastic goal and assist stats in Germany.

He's the type of player that very few have us any chance of signing.

[Shaggy]

Ah well. I think he'll go onto become a top class player and eventually a 15-20 goal a season man. Maybe he won't. Whatever, he's gone now and £49m is a great fee. I think we're wasting the dough spending it on Benteke but there's **** all I can do about it.

[Fosterbloke]

I bet he celebrates if he scores against us. Then again, that muted celebration **** annoys the piss out of me.

[topscorer]

No way is sterling in the Torres and Suarez category.



We're selling a player coming off an indifferent season for Firmino, who is widely regarded as a great prospect. And making a profit, can't really knock that bit of business.

Agreed, and that's kind of the point I'm trying to make.

He's not as good as them but he is the best we have at this moment in time. That's how much the quality of our squad has deteriorated under the last two owners and evidence about how the money received from these big sales has been squandered.

[topscorer]

Totally agree however in the case of Firmino I'd say he's more than just potential he's very much for the here and now, current Brazil first team regular and with some fantastic goal and assist stats in Germany.

He's the type of player that very few have us any chance of signing.

I haven't seen enough of him to have strong feeling about him either way but from what I saw at Copa America I'd say that Coutinho is a much better player than him and that means he's not good enough quality to help us raise our game.

Coutinho is young and has the potential to be a much greater player than he already is. I don't know if Firmino can become a much greater player than he already is but he cost a lot of money and I'm worried that he's just another mediocre player that cost a lot of money AKA Lovren, Lallana, Markovic etc.

Everyone assumes he's great because he's a regular in the Brazilian squad but I think the Brazilian squad is the weakest it's been in years.

Costa had the chance to play for Brazil or Spain and chose Spain!

[Kenneth]

Agreed, and that's kind of the point I'm trying to make.

He's not as good as them but he is the best we have at this moment in time. That's how much the quality of our squad has deteriorated under the last two owners and evidence about how the money received from these big sales has been squandered.

But there's no point crying over spilt milk.

[EwarWoo]

Goodbye. And despite everything good luck lad.

Hope he gets an advisor who doesn't keep making him look like a prick now he's where he wants to be.

[Gazzla]

True about Brazil but was playing out of position as a central striker, his form in Germany is a much better guide.

Yes it's a risk but very much the type of risk we should be taking, I think he'll be a superb signing

[Leyton388]

Just saw this on TLW and although it's rather negative it does bring home just how rotten the past year has been. Here's hoping things get better.

I genuinely thought we were set for big things with Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling in that side of 13/14. Suarez was a genius, Sturridge was exceptional, Coutinho oozes class and then there was Sterling, in my opinion the most exciting academy product since Gerrard.

Fast forward 13 months? two have gone, one's never fit and we've got Coutinho for one more year maximum and we're supposed to be happy about this? I'll reserve judgement till we've signed someone because if it's Reus or Lacazette then yes it's great business, if we take the whole money and spunk it on Benteke then City have got a very talented 20 year old with 8 goals and assists a season who'll only improve and we have a mid 20's relegation fodder striker thats coming back from a cruciate ligament injury, hardly a reason to rejoice.

[topscorer]

But there's no point crying over spilt milk.

You've got to see the problem to be able to fix it.

The question is if FSG don't see the problem why not and if they do see the problem are they going to fix it or is this what they want?

[Leyton388]

Got to Say though £49m for Sterling.



Sheikh Mansour

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