Raheem Sterling said former boss Brendan Rodgers influenced him greatly

World-class superstar footballer for Manchester city and England Raheem Sterling once said Brendan Rodgers had a huge impact on his career. The inference is positive for Leicester City youth.

Raheem Sterling is a huge candidate for the prestigious PFA Player of the Year award this season. It was Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers – then at Liverpool – who gave the superstar his beginnings in the Premier League.

Additionally, a few years ago while playing under Pep Guardiola, Sterling heaped praise on the Northern Irishman. Saying the manager was ‘massive’ in the development of the England star’s now illustrious career.

Sterling is now a greatly admired role model in the world game; the most popular global sporting competition. Thanks to his generosity, charitable work, playing quality, as well as a down-to-earth nature. In fact he’s possibly emerging as England’s most important or championed player along with Harry Kane.

While at Manchester City the former Reds winger hailed Rodgers at the time he ‘made his bones’ so to speak. Here’s the quote from the most talked about footballer this season, Sterling:

"“He’s someone who gave me my full chance in the Premier League and gave me loads of starts and loads of confidence.“He was massive for me. Every manager that I’ve worked with I’ve tried to learn as much as I can and he’s one that I definitely learnt a lot off. Credit to him he was a fantastic guy.“In terms of playing me in different positions, making me understand the roles and maturing in certain systems. He gave me a lot of confidence as well.”Via: ESPN"

Yes, this is a three-year-old quote and the wonder manager Guardiola has obviously engineered the ascension of the 24-year-old – yet Rodgers certainly began the transformation. Ultimately this was achieved through trust, nurture and tactical insight.

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Leicester City youth development

Naturally we can take positive implications for Leicester City from this, the Foxes gaffer will surely continue the good work he’s done elsewhere and as predecessor Claude Puel did. With respect to Harvey Barnes, another trend is already developing, excuse the pun.

Another interesting factor of the pair’s relationship was that the teacher wanted the student on low wage while mastering his trade – in order not to distract and distort the youthful player’s reality, only £2k-a-week, per Sky Sports.

Arsenal are the next visitors to King Power Stadium. The Gunners are always extremely awkward opposition for Leicester. Even succumbing to the London outfit in the miraculous title-winning campaign of 2015/16.