Well, I only skimmed it because I've more productive ways to spend my time than reading such stuff, but it seems his argument was intended to show that it isn't about the money so I'm not sure why people are accusing him of being a money-grabber.
I'm not defending him, he's wrong in so many ways, imo- but my interpretation of the statement is that no amount of money is going to keep him here because what he wants is to further his career and win trophies, and he sees a better opportunity for that elsewhere.
Though I can't imagine that he'd see Arsenal as much of a step up in that regard.
I fully agree with those who say it's too early in his career for him to be having these expectations. He is a great talent, but there are still aspects of his game that need improving. Far too many of the top clubs have very little interest in bringing on talent- they want everyone at the top of their game right now in order to succeed. He needs to keep his head down and work at his weak areas, and he'll get the chance to improve with us. There's plenty of time for a 20 year-old to get trophies in his career, but unfortunately it's a sign of the times- so many talented young players think they're the dog's bollocks and deserve everything now.
He is, and was second only to Suarez last season, imo. A young man with the world at his feet - but he still has an awful lot to learn. Let me give a comparison to a similarly feted Steven Gerrard at that age. He played against Patrick Viera in the 2001 FA cup final (a game won single-handedly by a young Michael Owen, remember) and promptly said after the game that he'd learned he wasn't as good as Viera, and it would be a long time and plenty of hard work if he were ever to be that good. Same as Owen, who even then was continually expressing the line that he was still learning his trade.
We all know that Owen went three years later, and was nearly followed by Gerrard, but that was later. At the point Sterling is now, surely he can see that this is his best option? But hey-ho, and not to get nasty and turn against him (though that may change if goes to another EPL team), it's better to sell this summer and wish him well if he doesn't want to be here. He's not a local lad, he's a professional trying to make himself (and his agents) as much as possible in a short career, blah, blah, blah. But if reports of £140k a week, let alone £180k, are true I hope John Henry says no, and sticks at a very, very generous £100k. After all, Torres, at the peak of his career, took a pay cut to come here, and even when he was rated the best forward in Europe never topped £180k. Suarez, for his first two years at Anfield, was on £45k.
And good luck to him and richer clubs if they can afford to pay a decent 21 year-old (though not Messi or Neymar) more than that.
Instead of looking at where to go to get trophies, how about helping the club you're with win some?
