Raheem Sterling’s career has come on leaps and bounds since Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City, and he has continued his impressive progression this season as The Citizens seek an unprecedented quadruple. There’s no doubt that he’s up against stiff competition, but following his superb hat-trick for England against Czech Republic this evening, Sterling certainly has to be up there as one of the most impressive English players so far this season.

Sterling came off to a rousing applause at Wembley, nothing less than he deserved after another electric performance. One criticism of Sterling has been his failure to transfer his successes domestically into performances in an England shirt, but now with five goals in his last five international appearances, it appears those frustrations are in the past. Sterling showed the full range of his qualities against the Czechs, possessing superb striker’s instinct for his first and a lovely finish on the turn for his second. It’s great news for England fans and Gareth Southgate alike that Sterling seems to have found his shooting boots at international level.

The frustration born around Sterling have mainly come around the goal-scoring figures which he has been providing at Manchester City for the past two seasons. Across those campaigns, Sterling has hit 33 goals in 60 games, remarkable figures for an out and out winger and a player who had previously been accused of lacking an end product. Not any more. Sterling has displayed a ruthless efficiency in front of goal which has made him one of England’s leading marksman domestically, and he has firmly pushed himself towards the top end of English talent in the division.

When looking at his compatriots, only Harry Kane can boast a better goalscoring record over the last two seasons, as would be expected for a player of his calibre who is the leading striker for both club and country. The Spurs man currently sits on 17 goals for the season, only two ahead of Sterling, which is credit to the impact which Sterling finds himself having at City despite occupying a position which wouldn’t usually be associated with such high figures. However, the area which pushes Sterling above Kane at least statistically this season is his assists tally, which currently stands at nine, five higher than Kane. That means that Sterling has had the most goal involvements from any Englishman in the Premier League this season, and the improvement in his finishing and interplay throughout the last two years are testified through his figures. For overall play at the moment, there is no better Englishman than Sterling.

After an extremely disappointing Euro 2016 where Sterling was perceived as the scapegoat for the England side’s failure, he is finally beginning to produce performances which Three Lions fans have been craving. Undoubtedly the most impressive Englishman in the Premier League this season, it seems Sterling is now ready to fully make an impact on the international stage.

Featured Image Credit: Getty