Champions League pullout
Pep left with one fit centre-half as Stones ruled out for six weeks
MANCHESTER CITY’S injury crisis in defence has deepened after John Stones became the latest star to be sidelined.
England defender Stones faces up to six weeks out, with a muscle injury suffered in training, ahead of tonight’s clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.
The loss of Stones, 25, means City boss Pep Guardiola has just one fit, established
RAHEEM STERLING is on course to eclipse Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s best player, according to Barcelona legend Xavi.
Sterling has emerged as one of the finest players in world football, the winger having plundered 25 goals last season and six already this term for City, as well as two for England.
City boss Pep Guardiola has already told the 24-year-old not to believe his own hype.
But Xavi (right), who played alongside Messi at Barca under Guardiola, reckons Sterling is well on his way to becoming the best player on the planet.
“Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the best-player-inthe-world awards for so many years now, it’s hard to remember a time before them,” said Xavi.
“Messi is the best ever for me and, even though they’re both still playing at a very high level, there will come the day – not so long away – when somebody else must step into those shoes.
“You look at young players who can be crowned the future best in the world and you think of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Mo Salah and, of course, Sterling.
“I look at the moment – and Sterling is winning that race. He’s always been a good player, a dangerous player, but, under Pep, he has become one of the best in the world.
“I know how Pep works – he would have worked closely with Sterling since his arrival, where he needs to improve and what he needed to work on.
“We’re now seeing the results of that – he’s still young and he can be the world’s best.”
City, beaten in the Premier League for the first time since January in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Norwich, begin their Champions League quest tonight.
Guardiola’s side travel to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk, the third successive season the two sides have met each other in the group stage of Europe’s elite club competition.
Xavi reckons Guardiola and City will prioritise the Champions League over a third straight Premier League title and has them as favourites for the competition, along with Barca and holders Liverpool.
The Spaniard, 39, added: “With Barcelona, I look at Manchester City and Liverpool as being the favourites for the Champions League this season.
“We already know that Liverpool have shown they have what it takes to win the Champions League and they are a very strong team.
“And, after two Premier League titles, I think Pep will really prioritise the Champions League this season.
“You never know what can happen – but I’m looking at one of those three as winners.”