Raheem Sterling hailed as inspiring role model by Danny Murphy after Football Writers Player of the Year award win

Raheem Sterling hailed as inspiring role model by Danny Murphy after Football Writers Player of the Year award win
Danny Murphy has praised Raheem Sterling for his positive impact off the pitch after the Manchester City star was named Football Writers Player of the Year.Sterling won the prestigious award ahead of PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk – and received a staggering 62 per cent of the vote.While the England forward has enjoyed a wonderful season, leading Man Citys title charge with 17 goals and ten assists, Sterling has also become the leading voice in English footballs fight against racism.And Murphy believes the 24-year-old, who was also given the Integrity and Impact Award at the BT Sport Industry Awards, has blossomed into a figure of inspiration for young people.1

Sterling with the Integrity and Impact Award at the BT Sport Industry Awards

The talkSPORT pundit said: If you look at what hes done in terms of raising awareness for the DKMS stem cell donors, the young lad at Palace [Damary Dawkins] when he paid for the funeral, supported the family, created awareness hugely for something thats close to my heart as well.Its things like that where hes proactively making an impact on people and actually using his presence and influence.Sterlings made mistakes, who hasnt? You can still progress through adversity and sometimes thats more inspirational than doing everything right all the time. The young lads out there looking up at superstars are going through trouble, making mistakes and taking wrong turns.You can see someone in the limelight and say, Look, hes been through that. Hes taken that much stick, hes made that mistake and look where he is now.On the pitch, Sterling has overcome doubts about his finishing ability to become one of the Premier Leagues most prolific goalscorers.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Millwall vs Bristol City (Tuesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Swansea vs Derby (Wednesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Barcelona vs Liverpool (Wednesday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
• Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
• West Ham vs Southampton (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Cardiff vs Crystal Palace (Saturday 5:30pm) – talkSPORT

And Murphy believes Sterlings improvement is a testament to his determination to get better.When youre a young footballer you have to have a capacious mind in terms of all the information youre given and choose whats good for you, Murphy added.When you work with someone like Pep Guardiola, take on board what hes saying because hes been there and done it, hes improved some of the best players in the world.Raheem deserves credit for not just wanting to improve, but putting in the practice on the pitch and having the courage to do it.

---

Andy Carroll insists The Only Way Is Extension as he eyes new West Ham contract. Injury-jinxed Carroll has made a life for himself in the area but must prove to West Ham he is worth re-signing
West Ham crisis: Tony Henry suspended after report over

---

Chelsea have this morning released a statement, detailing precisely why Eden Hazard was deserving of a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. The English top-flight's finest XI over
How the PFA Team of the Year should have looked according to

---

Chelsea vs Man United: What time is kick-off? The FA Cup fifth-round tie will take place on Monday, February 18 and kick-off at Stamford Bridge is set for the slightly unusual time of 7:30pm. Despite their recent woes, Chelsea have won their last five home games on the spin in all competitions.

---

Mohamed Salah became the fastest player to reach 50 Premier League goals for Liverpool as he helped fire the Reds back to the top of the Premier League on Friday.. The Egypt forward netted 10
Mohamed Salah Becomes Fastest Liverpool Player To Reach 50

---

England legend Peter Shilton has paid an emotional tribute to World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who has sadly died at the age of 81. It was announced on Tuesday the iconic gloveman had passed away peacefully overnight.
Twitter tributes to World Cup winner Gordon Banks

---

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy call Claude Puel a 'f*****g k

---

Latest Fc Rostov news, scores, stats, photos and videos on MSN Sport msn back to msn home sport football. web search. Premier League
The incredible stats that prove there is a player more

---

Danny Rose EXCLUSIVE: 'I just wanted to get in my car and hide' after unnamed club make 'crazy' query and I said 'yeah that is fine' and he said 'they just want to check that you
Danny Rose EXCLUSIVE: 'I just wanted to get in my car and

---

OUCH Cardiff manager Neil Warnock reveals 'brilliant' dressing room clash between two former players - 'He's gone over and headbutted him!'
Arsenal vs Cardiff City: Incredible Neil Warnock statistic

---

Crystal Palace have condemned the racist abuse of a club doctor in a 'disgraceful' incident which took place before their final day defeat of Bournemouth. Dr Zafar Iqbal on Sunday said he was
Crystal Palace condemn racist comments aimed at club doctor

---

Swansea City 2-3 Manchester City: Sergio Aguero seals comeback in FA Cup thriller • Sergio Aguero's late winner helps Manchester City dramatically come from two goals down to beat Swansea and reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
Swansea City 2-3 Manchester City: FA Cup quarter-final - as

---

Manchester United want Harry Maguire but have been put off by Leicester's asking price of £80million. The England defender is also a target for Manchester City, as both teams look to bolster their defence ahead of next season.
Manchester United transfer news: Harry Maguire wanted at Old

---