Raheem Sterling hailed as inspiring role model by Danny Murphy after Football Writers Player of the Year award win

Raheem Sterling hailed as inspiring role model by Danny Murphy after Football Writers Player of the Year award win
Danny Murphy has praised Raheem Sterling for his positive impact off the pitch after the Manchester City star was named Football Writers Player of the Year.Sterling won the prestigious award ahead of PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk – and received a staggering 62 per cent of the vote.While the England forward has enjoyed a wonderful season, leading Man Citys title charge with 17 goals and ten assists, Sterling has also become the leading voice in English footballs fight against racism.And Murphy believes the 24-year-old, who was also given the Integrity and Impact Award at the BT Sport Industry Awards, has blossomed into a figure of inspiration for young people.1

Sterling with the Integrity and Impact Award at the BT Sport Industry Awards

The talkSPORT pundit said: If you look at what hes done in terms of raising awareness for the DKMS stem cell donors, the young lad at Palace [Damary Dawkins] when he paid for the funeral, supported the family, created awareness hugely for something thats close to my heart as well.Its things like that where hes proactively making an impact on people and actually using his presence and influence.Sterlings made mistakes, who hasnt? You can still progress through adversity and sometimes thats more inspirational than doing everything right all the time. The young lads out there looking up at superstars are going through trouble, making mistakes and taking wrong turns.You can see someone in the limelight and say, Look, hes been through that. Hes taken that much stick, hes made that mistake and look where he is now.On the pitch, Sterling has overcome doubts about his finishing ability to become one of the Premier Leagues most prolific goalscorers.

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And Murphy believes Sterlings improvement is a testament to his determination to get better.When youre a young footballer you have to have a capacious mind in terms of all the information youre given and choose whats good for you, Murphy added.When you work with someone like Pep Guardiola, take on board what hes saying because hes been there and done it, hes improved some of the best players in the world.Raheem deserves credit for not just wanting to improve, but putting in the practice on the pitch and having the courage to do it.

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