Strengths and Weaknesses of Manchester City Transfer Target Raheem Sterling

Manchester City have already had two sizable bids turned down for Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, according to Ben Smith at BBC Sport, and they are expected to return with an improved offer in the coming days. 

City have placed the 20-year-old high up their list of priorities this summer. The man who made a big impression for England last summer at the World Cup in Brazil is seen as the player who can help them mount a title challenge again after a disappointing 2014/15 season. 

He's far from the finished product but has excellent potential. Very few players his age possess the same level of quality. He has already played 129 times for Liverpool and boasts 16 England caps. 

So, what can he offer City, and are there any weaknesses in his game? Let's take a look. 

Strength: Pace

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Sterling's most obvious asset is his blistering pace. City certainly lacked pace in attacking areas last season, something the Liverpool man will go some way to addressing. 

He can move at pace with and without the ball, able to change direction effortlessly without slowing down. Defenders struggle to contain him. Sterling commits them and takes them out of the game, creating space for his team-mates. 

Given City lack a top-class ball-carrier, it's easy to see why he is such a priority signing at the Etihad. 

Strength: Tactical Flexibility

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One of the biggest improvements in Sterling's game has been the development of his role at Anfield. 

He may have began life as an out-and-out winger confined to the right, but his influence has since grown. He now operates more centrally, driving at the heart of opposition defences. 

In fact, he can play on the shoulder of the last defender and use his pace to run in behind, with the timing of his runs often impeccable, or he can drop deep to collect the ball and run straight at defenders, scaring them with his ability to knock it past them.  

Given he is just 20, the way he has developed at such a young age is remarkable. 

Strength: Fearlessness

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Sterling is far from the finished product but one thing he can be universally praised for is his bravery. He rarely goes hiding and is always willing to pick the ball up to try to cause teams problems. 

And it's that kind of fearlessness that very often separates the very good players from the world-class ones. The very best aren't fazed when things aren't going their way. They continually want the ball and attempt to make things happen. Sterling appears to have that appetite for the game, and it's a very encouraging trait. 

Strength: Home-Grown Status

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Premier League rules state that clubs can name a 25-man squad at the beginning of the season, eight of which must be "home grown." A home-grown player is one who was affiliated to an FA or Welsh FA side for three years prior to their 21st birthday. 

City are struggling to fulfil that criteria this season. Of their eight home-grown players from last season's squad, only three—Joe Hart, Gael Clichy and Richard Wright—remain. Some of the slots will be filled with young players returning from loans, but they need to sign players who can help them comply with the rule. 

Sterling has many attractive attributes, but his status as home grown is certainly a key additional element that makes him an even more attractive prospect for City. 

Weakness: Decision-Making

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One area in need of improvement is his decision-making. Too often he is profligate in possession, choosing the wrong ball or holding on to it for too long when better options are available. 

It's a side of his game that saw his performance level dip a little last season. He has plenty of time to improve, though, and City's coaching staff clearly believe they can develop him and make him a better player. 

Weakness: Finishing

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Sterling must also work on his finishing. His seven league goals from 35 games last season was't good enough for a player of his quality and, although he has improved in recent months, he needs to show more composure when in on goal. 

Because of his pace and ability to beat players, he gets plenty of chances and could easily be grabbing 15 goals a season if he makes the necessary improvements to his game. 

Weakness: Strength

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Sterling still, at times, appears to lack strength, although, it's an area of his game that has improved dramatically over the past two seasons and is likely to continue doing so. 

When a player moves at pace and always wants to run at defenders, one slight nudge can see them taken out, but Sterling needs to develop more of an ability to handle the physical side of the game. 

Weakness: Endurance

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Sterling has played so much football for someone so young in recent seasons, it's understandable that he has suffered from periods of fatigue. 

In October, Sterling claimed he was too tired to play for England against Estonia, a decision praised for its honesty by Roy Hodgson, according to Daniel Taylor writing in the Guardian. 

Working on his physicality and endurance will be high on City's list of priorities if he joins the club this summer.