Raheem Sterling: Former Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson explains how Man City star ‘matured’ into Player of the Year contender
Glen Johnson has backed former team-mate Raheem Sterling for the PFA Player of the Year award after watching his dramatic transformation into a top-class player.Johnson played behind Sterling at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers, where he helped the winger mature as a player and a person.Sterling has been outstanding in recent weeks2
Sterling has been outstanding in recent weeks
Sterling, 24, was always a polite and genuine young man and stood in contrast to the many arrogant players who emerge at that age, according to Johnson.However, his technically ability needed work, and under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, that side of his game has become exceptional.The England international, once considered poor in front of goal, has already netted 15 times this season, including a hat-trick against Watford on Saturday. And Johnson believes Sterling should be rewarded with this seasons PFA Player of the Year award.I think he can, I dont see why not, he told Jim White on talkSPORT.Hes been fantastic. His goalscoring speaks for itself. So hed be my pick.Johnson and Sterling were team-mates with Liverpool and England2
Johnson and Sterling were team-mates with Liverpool and England
The former England defender added: Ive known him from his first days at Liverpool. Where Im most impressed with him is how much hes improved technically.In those days, he wasnt technically great at all, he was very quick and powerful. He was actually at his best when he didnt have to think too much.Now, hes matured as a man and hes technically a lot better.Sterling has also received widespread praise for his actions off the pitch this season, becoming a leading voice in footballs fight against racism.And Johnson describes the City star as a humble, quiet kid who took nothing for granted.He was really polite and genuine, and he worked hard in training, Johnson added.

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He was a genuine nice kid one that burst onto the scene and you actually wanted to help.Some players turn up, theyre very arrogant and they think they deserve to be there, but he wasnt like that.He was more than happy to earn his stripes and certainly put in a shift in training.
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