Published: June 21, 2021 5:44 pm
Last Updated: June 21, 2021 11:23 pm
Raheem Sterling & Man City
Raheem Sterling has of course been a mainstay in Manchester City’s attack for many years now.
In 292 outings for the Sky Blues, the attacker has managed to rack up 114 goals and 87 assists – playing a key role in the club’s recent dominance of the English top-flight.
However, recent months saw Pep Guardiola limit Sterling’s game-time, both in the league and in Europe.
The former Liverpool man featured for just two minutes over two legs as City saw off Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League’s quarter-finals, before then being left on the bench for the first of two semi-final meetings with PSG, as well.
Granted, Sterling did start in the competition’s finale. But his subpar display is unlikely to have won over Guardiola.
And though the wide-man did feature fairly heavily at the back end of the Premier League season, it was clear that City were utilising a second-choice eleven, with Phil Foden now seemingly Guardiola’s preferred attacking option on the left.
‘If you’re not playing, you’re not happy’
Such struggles, in turn, saw reports begin to emerge suggesting that Sterling could be on the move this summer.
It was even claimed that Arsenal, where Pep Guardiola’s former assistant Mikel Arteta is now at the helm, were leading the race for the English international.
And now, Sterling himself has dropped a hint that he is not overly happy with his current role at City.
When speaking in an interview recently, he stated that he is happy with the national team, but is not happy if he is not playing regular football.
“It is just happiness, just being happy, enjoying my football and that is what I am doing being here with the national team. If you’re not playing, you’re not happy. That’s me, that’s been me since I was a kid, if I’m playing football I am really happy, if I’m not I’m not happy.”
Quotes via Goal.
Finland vs Belgium betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds
Russia vs Denmark betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds
This article was edited by
Conor Laird.
