QPR hail superkid (merged thread)

[New Cross R]

1 November 2009
QPR hail superkid
Alan Nixon
Exclusive Queens Park Rangers are set to make wonder boy Raheem Sterling the youngest first-teamer in British football history to ward off Premier League big boys including Manchester United.

Rangers boss Jim Magilton (pictured) is so impressed by the 14-year-old striker - who is rated as highly as the young Wayne Rooney - he allowed him to train with the first team last week.

And the plan is to give him his debut soon after his 15th birthday next month to break the record of Barnsley's Reuben Noble-Lazarus who made his debut at 15 years and 45 days last season.

Sterling, a lightning-quick forward, already plays for Rangers Under-18s but QPR are scared that a major offer will be tabled. Sterling and his agent were VIP guests at the Liverpool's clash with United last Sunday as rumours abound of a £1million offer from one of the elite clubs.

Rangers will offer Sterling a fast track into their senior side, hoping it will convince him to stay. But it looks a losing battle as Sterling missed a meeting where he was due to sign a YTS contract and headed for the game at Anfield.

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/footba...name_page.html

[geejaybee]

Man Utd chase QPR wonderkid...

Manchester United chase QPR wonderkid Raheem Sterling/ Transfer news 01/11/2009QPR are bracing themselves for a bid from Manchester United for their highly-rated 14-year-old striker Raheem Sterling, according to a report in The People this morning.

Sterling has been training with the QPR first team in recent weeks after impressing manager Jim Magilton and he could break the record as the youngest Football League player next month after he turns 15.

Alan Nixon writes in The People: "Sterling, a lightning-quick forward, already plays for Rangers Under-18s but QPR are scared that a major offer will be tabled. Sterling and his agent were VIP guests at the Liverpool's clash with United last Sunday as rumours abound of a £1million offer from one of the elite clubs."

Nixon adds: "Rangers will offer Sterling a fast track into their senior side, hoping it will convince him to stay. But it looks a losing battle as Sterling missed a meeting where he was due to sign a YTS contract and headed for the game at Anfield."

Raheem Sterling is one of the most highly-rated teenagers in English football and reportedly is as talented as Wayne Rooney was at the same age.

[ScottJones]

[geejaybee]

Sorry - Just pipped me to the post with this thread.

[ScottJones]

Great minds think alike and all that!

Must admit, never heard of the kid.

Worrying if he was at Liverpool. Not being funny but we're not exactly able to compete with the man yoos of this world!

[HammersmithR]

Is he a local boy?

[SirLes]

Don't panic. We're not a selling club anymore, remember?

[New Cross R]

Would be a shame to loose him. It seems like our youth team is producing some decent players in recent years. Would not be happy if Man Utd or Liverpool poached him, but you can't blame him for leaving if he gets an offer. I wouldn't want to see him given a first team start if he's not ready at the expense of our first teamers..

[HammersmithR]

Would appear he is from Brent. Wembley area.

http://www.afcwembley.com/admin/getpage.php?page=news

[geejaybee]

Swap him for Berbatov ;D

[HammersmithR]

Some more

http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/conten...A47%3A54%3A343

[Tarbie]

First of all I would like to point out that this story was published in The People, which to be honest sits somewhere between the the Daily Star and the Daily Sport with regards to credibility. In other words this report should be taken with a cement mixer full of salt!!!!

If true though this could be a very difficult situation for the club to manage. The big problem is that if a player leaves before signing a professional contract (which can't be done until the player is 17), the fee would be decided by tribunal. The FA are getting better on protecting smaller clubs in a tribunal situation but still if a player was to leave prior to his 17th birthday it would to an extent, be in the hands of the gods as to whether we are appropriately compensated.

With the above in mind, putting a player into 1st team action at such a young age is risky. This is because the player will be thrust into the limelight and put firmly in the shop window. Bigger clubs will be aware that they can effectively poach the player and we would have no say whatsoever in the matter should the player want to leave.

On the other hand by denying an excellent prospect the opportunity of 1st team football he may be more inclined to explore other opportunities and if other, potentially bigger clubs are sniffing around he may choose to leave anyway.

If this report is true and we are about to fast track a teenager into 1st team action we need to hope that the player is mature beyond his years and has his feet firmly on the ground. If he is the type of character to be tempted by big money offers elsewhere it could prove very difficult to hang onto him.

[pc1401]

And would he get a sniff at 1st team football at these bigger clubs. Not saying we should play him just to try and keep him but surely he would stand more chance with us, although they do have better youth set ups than ours at the moment

[SirLes]

If he is the type of character to be tempted by big money offers elsewhere it could prove very difficult to hang onto him.

We are the richest club in the world so shouldnt we be able to offer him a big money contract?

[pc1401]

Why has this been moved may i ask???????????