Shaw grateful for Sterling mentorship
Published:Sunday | March 6, 2022 | 12:09 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
National and Manchester City player Khadija Shaw says the counsel of fellow City forward Raheem Sterling has made her a better player.
Shaw, in her first season in England, was rewarded with silverware after Manchester City defeated Chelsea 3-1 in yesterday’s Continental Cup final at Cherry Red Records Stadium in London.
City’s win ended Cheslea’s two-year hold on the trophy.
Samantha Kerr gave Chelsea the lead in the 34th minute but a brace from Caroline Weir in the 49th and 69th minutes, as well as a strike from Ellen White in the 58th minute, propelled Manchester City to their fourth title, one behind Arsenal for the most all-time.
Shaw came on for White in the 88th minute to help close out the win, preventing her national teammate Chelsea Drew Spence from winning a third consecutive title.
Shaw has scored four goals in their campaign putting her in a four-way tie for the tournament’s top scorer, which includes her club teammate Lauren Hemp, Tottenham Hotspur’s Angela Addison and Chelsea’s Pernille Harder.
Shaw had previously spoken of Sterling’s influence on her decision to join City, and says he has been offering her advice on how to improve.
In an interview with The Athletic on Thursday, Shaw said Sterling emphasised being alert throughout the game and showed her how to help her team win in different ways.
STAYING ACTIVE
“He always talks about just staying active and staying in the game. It’s not always about scoring and assisting. You can also make an impact in terms of fighting to win a ball or slide-tackling, always staying active and reliable, and being there for your teammates,” Shaw said.
Shaw said Sterling has been a source of encouragement for her in navigating the waters of English football and adapting to her new challenge.
“I remember in the summer, I would message him and ask like ‘yo’, and we would joke around and stuff like that. Even on days football is not going the way I want it to, I always call him and ask him for advice, and ask him ‘What do you think? How can I improve?.’ He’s always there, always open to giving me advice and encouraging me,” Shaw said.
While she has taken time to settle since signing for the club last summer, she has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season, including her most recent tally to help City advance to the sixth round of the Women’s FA Cup in a 4-1 win over rivals Manchester United. Chasing silverware has been one of the main reasons why she joined City and will have a chance at a possible domestic double.
Manchester City will return to league play on March 13 when they face fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur, and Shaw will face national teammate, goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer.