To cut to the chase: we need someone who sits in front of the two centre-halves and takes the graft. Sterling has played deeper before — remember that Parkhead game — and if we’re honest, his profile fits what we’re crying out for. He can win the ball, is comfortable on it and would allow others to attack more freely.
Give the team balance
Right now the midfield shape often looks lopsided. Raskin and Diomande both like to surge up the pitch and that’s fine — we want forward-thinking players — but without a disciplined six the space they leave becomes a problem. If Sterling sits in front of the centre-backs his main job would be to win possession and recycle it. Simple, tidy passes to the two CMs and we’ve got a much better balance.
What that would unlock
With a recognised ball-winner at the base, Chuck and whoever plays alongside him can focus more on progression and the creative side. Diomande and Raskin would have licence to push higher without constantly worrying about the gap behind them. You can see why a Scott Brown-style holding role has been mooted by fans — it compacts the midfield and makes us harder to break down.
Less tinkering, more clarity
To be fair, it’s not asking Sterling to suddenly become someone he’s not. The brief is straightforward: win the ball, break opposition play, and play the safe pass to the wide or central CMs. He’s shown he’s not hopeless on the ball. The truth is, we might be missing a trick by not giving it a proper go. It could tidy up our shape, make us less porous, and get the best out of the more forward-minded midfielders.
Would Danny try it? I don’t know. But from where we stand, it’s worth experimenting with Sterling as the number six and seeing what it brings to the team.
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