Pep takes a swipe at Sterling critics during World Cup

PEP Guardiola has taken a swipe at English football’s ‘special relationship’ with Raheem Sterling.

The City star was widely criticised for drawing a blank for England in the World Cup in the summer, after his stunning 23-goal season for the Blues.

And he got the new campaign off to the perfect start by scoring a superb opening goal as City began the defence of their title with a 2-0 win at Arsenal.

But Guardiola said the 23-year-old’s critics got it wrong with their constant sniping at his player, and defended his displays for Gareth Southgate’s team in Russia.

“If you judge a player at the World Cup on whether he scores a goal or not …” said Guardiola when asked about the way Sterling was again made a scapegoat by sections of the English media and some fans of the national team. “Raheem has a special relationship with English football, but he is so loved in the locker room.

“He did some very good things in the World Cup – how he moved created spaces for the others in behind.

“He would like to score a goal, and he tried, but I am pretty sure in the qualification for the European Championships he will make good for England and will score some goals.”

Guardiola gave Sterling a huge vote of confidence by including him in the starting line-up at the Emirates despite being, along with Kevin de Bruyne, the last player back at training.

He only returned to the City Football Academy on Monday after taking his full three weeks’ holiday entitlement, while others – like England team-mates John Stones and Kyle Walker – returned early.

Guardiola said Sterling’s return was on the cards, even though De Bruyne started the game on the bench.

“I think his mum and dad gave him a special body shape,” said Guardiola of Sterling.

“He is small, tiny, and these kind of guys are ready in one week.

“We saw him good in the training session, we needed that guy in that position, and he did it well except for the last 20 to 25 minutes when he was very tired.

“Many, many players made a sacrifice – we saw it from Kyle Walker, John Stones and Fernandinho.

“We trained just one week, two weeks, a very short time, but the spirit is there, and that is the most important thing.”

Sterling is believed to want a pay hike in line with City’s other top stars after playing a key role in the Premier League title win last season, and his starting role – when Guardiola had only David Silva missing through injury – was a huge vote of confidence for the forward.