A few years ago i'd have agreed re. Sterling, but I think he's actually the perfect no.10 for how successful teams are going to play for the next few years.
For the last decade 'Tika Taka' has been key. But since Pep left Barca, it's deteriorated slowly, and managers have now had to evolve.
That's why Martinez, Rodgers etc. have had such success recently.
Tika Taka was all about possession. Wearing down a team so much and then finding the pass to kill the opposition off, while pressing high on the ball when not in possession.
But it's now eve loved into a quicker, counter-attacking brand of football. Yes it's still based on having more possession than the opposition, but it's now about keeping hold of the ball long enough to draw a team out, and then turn up the heat. It also allows a 'route one' system.
But the most important part is the counter-attack. And this is where I think the needs for the 'traditional' No.10 (e.g. small, nimble, a burst of pace but not lightning and the eye of a needle pass) are now a bit less. The most effective No.10's for these teams are the Sterling/Barkley types. Players with strength, pace, power and skill. Players who can run the length of the pitch on the counter but also finish off a 30/40 pass move.
This is where football is going for the next few years. Tika Taka with power. And by everything Bobby has done so far, it looks like he's going to be one of the best.
