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Man City: Raheem Sterling bags Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award

By Ashley Anthony

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City arrives on the red carpet ahead of the BT Sport Industry Awards 2019 at Battersea Evolution on April 25, 2019 in London, England. The BT Sport Industry Awards is the biggest commercial sports awards in the world and an annual showcase of the best of the sector’s creative and commercial output. The event brings together sports stars, celebrities, industry leaders, influencers and media from around the world for what is always a highly anticipated occasion. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sport Industry Group)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City arrives on the red carpet ahead of the BT Sport Industry Awards 2019 at Battersea Evolution on April 25, 2019 in London, England. The BT Sport Industry Awards is the biggest commercial sports awards in the world and an annual showcase of the best of the sector’s creative and commercial output. The event brings together sports stars, celebrities, industry leaders, influencers and media from around the world for what is always a highly anticipated occasion. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sport Industry Group) /
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Raheem Sterling‘s stellar season has finally been rewarded after he received the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award.

The English forward has been in the headlines from the first whistle of the season leading up to now. If the news wasn’t about him scoring Man City to the summit of the Premier League or doing the same job for his country, it was him taking on the media in the wake of the heavy rise in racism in the game we love most.

Sterling has been the voice of those affected profoundly by ongoings on and off the pitch. It comes as no surprise the 24-year-old picked up the award. But one needs to ask if it was for his bravery to fight the media or the fact he was one of Manchester City’s best players this season?

Raheem Sterling‘s on-field performances

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This season the Englishman has barely missed a minute, making himself an important part of Pep’s fight to retain the English Premier League title and their great cup runs.

In the League, FA Cup and Champions League, Raheem has featured 45 times for City. Only three of those 45 appearances was coming on from the bench. He scored 23 goals and has collected 12 assists on the way.

For his country, it has been more of the same. His World Cup showing was nothing to go by, but post World Cup has been all Raheem Sterling. On the international stage, the Citizen featured in the UEFA National League and the EURO 2020 qualifiers. He played almost every second for the Three Lions, scoring six times.

Related Story. A true hero for those against racism. light

Has this been enough for him to receive the award?

Hands down, Sterling was not City’s most consistent performer, Bernardo Silva was. For his country, he was also not the best man on the pitch, but a major influence. However, what the player did in his time for England in recent months, makes me believe he deserves the award.

Far too long has the race obstacle plagued the world and the English league. This man has singlehandedly taken the fight to those against equality. This heroic act alone was deserving of an MBE from Prince Charles.

Therefore, Sterling’s performance on the pitch and valiant acts off it has kindly conferred him the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year honour. This was one of many awards the player racked up for being such a braveheart on the field and off it.

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