Who do Liverpool need to sign to retain the title? Keep up with all the Reds news with our free daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The size of the Kevin De Bruyne transfer fee will inevitably raise eyebrows.

Manchester City paid Wolfsburg £54m for the ex-Chelsea midfielder and the inevitable questions follow. Is he worth the money? Where will he play? In fact, will he play at all - or just be on the bench?

They were the sort of questions being asked about Raheem Sterling after his £49m move from Liverpool to the Etihad.

Here we are, six weeks later and all those question marks, doubts and snide remarks seem a distant memory.

Sterling is proving his worth, he is showing that all the fuss was worthwhile and he has been a central figure in City’s remarkable and perfect start to the season.

(Image: Tony Marshall/Getty)

It is four wins out of four for City. Sterling scored his first goal for City in their win over Watford on Saturday, having provided an assist the previous weekend in their win at Everton.

His performances at West Brom and against title rivals Chelsea were full of pace, movement and invention. He has blended perfectly into the team.

Sterling’s argument about leaving Anfield in the summer was to improve as a player, develop himself for both club and country and to move to a club which would win trophies. It was always success over money.

(Image: Colossal Sport Management)

Even though it’s only the end of August, surely Sterling can turn round and say that his decision to move to City after a protracted and sometimes ugly transfer saga was fully justified. Those boxes about improving as a player and joining a successful team are being ticked.

Sterling is playing in the most exciting and dynamic team in the country, they are top of the table and playing some super stuff. They are also top of the league.

That has to be good news not just for City but also for England because Sterling is central to Roy Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2016 and beyond.

He has shown mental strength to handle the move, cope with the pressure of the spotlight and also show the price tag is not a burden.

Many players, more experienced and with more miles on the clock, have really struggled under that sort of pressure and expectation.

(Image: Getty)

Just look at players like Fernando Torres, Andy Carroll and even Angel Di Maria who have failed to live up to a big billing and price tag.

There is also a nice connection with the City fans, making a habit of giving away his shirt at the end of games. The supporters are enjoying his performances and have taken to him.

Now City have brought in De Bruyne and possibly the spotlight is on him rather than Sterling. That’s what happens when you handle a move well, settle in and hit the ground running. The focus switches to another player to see how they cope.

City now have the option to play a 4-2-3-1 with Sterling, De Bruyne and David Silva behind Sergio Aguero. It is one of the most fluid, mobile, inventive and quick front lines in Europe. It will scare defences.

Raheem Sterling at Liverpool 129 Games 23 Goals 25 Assists

It will also give Sterling a taste of playing with the best players, in the best competitions and that has to be good news for England.

But more than anything else, the seamless way that Sterling has fitted in at Manchester City shows that his decision to leave Liverpool was justified. Liverpool are weaker without him and that’s painful.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

But in terms of his own future, you have to say that no-one is talking about Sterling being overpriced, overrated and unable to get a place in the City team.

If De Bruyne can adapt as quickly as Sterling he will have done well. Now Sterling can look back upon the summer and know that he did the right thing.