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Raheem Sterling's struggles amplify Man City's need for a forward of Erling Haaland's prowess
There were positives for Pep Guardiola to take from only a second defeat in 36 matches. If the Manchester City manager was still wavering over whether to keep Fernandinho for another season, the Brazilian’s accomplished showing against a superb Leeds United was a reminder of the influence the veteran midfielder - 36 next month - still wields.
Off the field, he may be a huge presence in that City dressing room but he was still comfortably one of the best players on the pitch on Saturday. John Stones was no less impressive, the England defender operating for much of the match as an additional central midfielder and, like Fernandinho, unfortunate to be on the losing side after Stuart Dallas’ second goal secured a last gasp 2-1 win for 10-man Leeds.
Yet this was one of those games, coming four days before City meet Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, that reaffirmed the importance of the Premier League leaders signing a top striker this summer. Guardiola’s faith in a litany of attacking midfielders has served him well but sometimes there is no substitute for a centre-forward with an innate sense of goal and, as City again prepare to get up close and personal with Erling Haaland on Wednesday, the clamour to sign the prolific Norway striker will only have increased after this.
Gabriel Jesus brings so much to this City squad but, with Sergio Aguero on his way out, the Brazil striker has yet to demonstrate he is the man to lead the line week in, week out at a club hellbent on winning everything and the need for a forward of Haaland’s prowess has been amplified further by the continuing struggles of Raheem Sterling.
There was a time not too long ago when the idea of Sterling being left out of City’s biggest game of the season would have been unthinkable but it would be little surprise to see the England forward return to the substitutes’ bench against Dortmund after another afternoon when he was well below his best. Operating without a pedigree marksman becomes less of an issue when Sterling is scoring goals freely from a wide forward position but the onus on the midfielders to find the net has become more pressing with that supply line falling away.
Sterling has scored once in his past 10 outings for City and, in truth, never looked like doing so against Leeds despite being presented with some inviting opportunities, not least by Fernandinho late in the first half. His wider decision-making was also amiss. Bernardo Silva was perfectly placed for a lay-off in the 19th minute but Sterling, again picked out by Fernandinho, elected to shoot with Leeds bodies in the way.
Rumours of a confrontation with Guardiola over playing time last month were dismissed by both Sterling and the manager but he has started just four of City’s past 10 matches in all competitions - an eye-opening statistic for a player accustomed to being a virtual ever present - and is in something of a rut. It is probably nothing a big goal or two will not solve but the case to start Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez against Dortmund and use Sterling as an impact substitute is persuasive on current form and Guardiola will hope his decision to rest many of his best players against Leeds pays off.
City lead 2-1 from the first leg and are bidding to make the semi-finals for the first time under Guardiola after three successive quarter-final defeats before taking on Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Saturday. It is a make-or-break week.
On the subject of big goals, Dallas will not have scored too many more important ones than his winner here after Ferran Torres had cancelled out the Northern Irishman’s opening strike with 14 minutes remaining. Marcelo Bielsa has come in for criticism for some of his team’s defending but the reaction to losing Liam Cooper for a reckless challenge on Jesus on the cusp of half-time was as impressive as anything Leeds have produced this season.
Diego Llorente was superb in defence, Ezgjan Alioski’s intelligent distribution helped conjure both goals, Kalvin Phillips was outstanding in the holding midfield role and Raphinha’s ability to run the ball out of trouble was an equally important component in a victory that should keep alive Leeds’ faint hopes of European football for a while yet.
