ESPN analysts pick Raheem Sterling over Mohamad Salah

Responding to a question from the public on ESPN FC TV Extra Time regarding which of either player they’d prefer Nicol, a Liverpool legend said: “(Cesar) Azpilicueta is arguably the most consistent and best right back in the premier league, right?,” he said referencing Manchester City’s 6-0 demolition of Chelsea in the English Premier League on February 10.

“Sterling absolutely tore him apart,” Nicol stressed to force home his point. “He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know whether to close him, come off him, he couldn’t handle him for pace, you name it.”

Egypt international Salah and Sterling are without question among the best players in the premier league with the former leading the goal-scorers chart at the moment with 17 goals and seven assists, a lead shared with Sterling’s Argentine teammate Sergio Aguero.

Not too far off the pace is Sterling, though, in sixth place, scoring 12 goals while providing nine assists. 

Other data comparing the two in-form players see Salah, having so far played 2207 league minutes with a 65 percent shot on target and Sterling, who has clocked up 1960 minutes with a shot on target rate of 78 percent, making the debate more interesting.

Sterling was in awesome form Sunday, scoring twice in the Chelsea rout, which Burley has taken keen note of.

Burley, a former Scotland international and Chelsea midfielder, said: “He (Raheem Sterling) has taken his game to another level. Everything: touch, strength, vision, I mean he really has.”

French football journalists and regular guest analyst Julien Laurens agrees with Nicol and Burley.

I will have to go with Sterling right now,” said Laurens. “I have to agree.”

“He gives so much to this City team whether its goals or assists and I still think there is so much room for improvement left in Raheem Sterling that it’s actually quite scary for the years to come,” he added.

Mark Ogden, senior football writer at ESPN FC disagrees, however, choosing to judge both players over last season, their performances at the FIFA World Cup and the current campaign.
Said Ogden: “Honestly, look what Salah did last season in the biggest games he delivered. Sterling at the World Cup didn’t quite delivered. I just think Salah, for me, still got the edge on Sterling. He’s just the man for the big occasions more often than not.”