The guy's main attribute is being able to dribble.....Theo's was running into space... so I don't think he is especially comparable to Theo. Also for all Theo's frustrations, his numbers were good when fit. Much better than players we've had in the past with more ability.
As you've suggested, Pepe is on course so there's way too much gnashing of teeth over him.
Sterling has gone off the boil a little recently but questioning whether he was worth 55 million at the time was one of the biggest miscalculations I've ever made about a player. The guy is world class.