TIME TO INVEST IN STERLING

Star will put happiness above loyalty to City

RAHEEM STERLING has established himself as one of the Premier League’s biggest stars.

The England forward has enjoyed six glorious years at Manchester City, helping them win three titles, the FA Cup and four League Cups.

He has become one of the most respected voices in the sport, was England’s best player at the Euros and is one of the game’s most marketable stars.

But at the heart of it all remains his love for his job.

Sterling, 26, said: “From a young child, football has been the most important thing in my life. My most happiest.

“When I play football, that’s where I get my happiness from. And of course with family as well, but football has a special place in my heart. With everything that comes with football, money, being able to do nice things... at the end of the day if football for me is not at a certain standard I’m not at my happiest.

“If I want my happiness at a certain level I need to be playing football, I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself.”

Sterling is clearly not at his happiest at the moment.

He has started just two Premier League games this season. He says he will not complain but equally feels it will take time to adjust to playing as a No.9 if that is where City boss Pep Guardiola wants him.

Despite losing his place, Sterling’s maturity and professionalism have been noted and praised within the City camp. This is not an immature player sulking.

His desire to win trophies is stronger than ever but if Guardiola does not see him as a regular starter, then the player will have to think about moving on again.

Sterling shook the footballing world by leaving Liverpool in 2015 to join City in a £49million deal – and his success at the Etihad has fully justified that decision.

Six years on, Sterling finds himself at another crossroads as the clock ticks down on his current deal, which expires in 2023. This is crunch time and Sterling’s mindset is pretty clear. The forward set out his objectives in a frank conversation at the Financial Times’ Business of Sport Summit – and explained why he is not content to just sit on the bench.

When asked about his targets, Sterling said: “Keeping humble, keeping that hard-working spirit, chasing the next goal.

“Trying to get better numbers. Keeping that hunger. Keeping that in your stomach. That’s the only way.

“Consistency. It is having that same will and desire going to the Champions League and then doing the same thing on a cold day somewhere where a team is fighting for survival.

“It gets to the point where you are like, right, now this is the direction I need to go to get to the next level and, when I get there, what’s the next level?

“You’re always trying to make a step up and there are frustrations along that way. It’s how you overcome them to keep elevated.”

Money is nice but I need to be playing