When it comes to acrimonious partings of ways, Raheem Sterling’s exit from Liverpool is right up there with Ange and Dirty Den.

The saga surrounding Sterling’s move to Manchester City has been rumbling on for months and has only served to highlight how powerless clubs are when it comes to keeping hold of talent.

It would have seemed unthinkable only a few years ago that any bright, young talent would want to make the switch from Liverpool to City, but the vast riches on offer at the Etihad in football’s current climate has ensured that they are able to court the world’s finest players. But Sterling is not one of the world’s finest players. Not even close.

The £44m that Manchester City paid for Sterling, which could rise to £49m if he proves a success for Manuel Pellegrini’s charges, is mere chump change for City.

Raheem Sterling in his Liverpool days
Raheem Sterling in his Liverpool days

But the most disappointing part of the whole sorry story, where Sterling and his agent, Aidy Ward, did their level best to engineer a move away from Anfield, is that Sterling’s undoubted potential now faces the prospect of being railroaded at a club with a pretty poor record of getting the best out of England’s bright, young things.

Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair are two to have seen their potential unfulfilled at City. Sterling, despite what he and his agent may believe, is not the finished article and game time is key to his ongoing development. Under Brendan Rodgers he was afforded that, he became a key cog and took on the responsibility that comes with such a role.

Scott Sinclair failed to reach his potential at Manchester City
Scott Sinclair failed to reach his potential at Manchester City

What happens if he begins life at the Etihad in the same fashion he finished last season with Liverpool? Will Khaldoon Al Mubarak and boardroom cohorts have the same patience that Sterling would have enjoyed with the Reds? When money is no object and quick fixes are the name of the game in order to achieve success, it’s hard to see that happening.

Sterling’s double-your-money, £200k-per-week deal is, financially, a huge win for the 20-year-old attacker. But he may have to be content with warming the bench while carrying the tag of the most expensive English footballer in history. Andy Carroll can now relax having had that burden removed from his broad shoulders.

Maybe Sterling will prove the doubters wrong. Maybe he will be the key to City winning silverware. But the whole affair has left a bitter taste in the mouth.