‘Ster yourself to win a place’
PEP GUARDIOLA is challenging Raheem Sterling to find his own way back to form – or risk playing backup to Phil
Foden and Riyad Mahrez.
The Manchester City and England attacker has gone from star turn to a supporting role at the Etihad with Guardiola favouring the cutting edge and goals of Foden and Mahrez (below).
Sterling was a revelation last season, scoring 35 goals in 57 games for club and country.
This time he has scored only 15 in 47 – and is sweating on a starting place in today’s Carabao Cup Final against Tottenham at Wembley as City try to secure the first leg of their Treble bid.
And Guardiola admits it is all down to Sterling to prove he is worth a place ahead of City’s other top stars – even if his hard-line stance could damage the striker’s Euro chances with England.
“Raheem is an extraordinary player.
Always was, is and always will be,” said City boss Guardiola.
“As to what will happen with his international manager in the summer, I’m sorry, I am not involved.
“I would love it if he was a star of the Euros. I would like that for him. I’ve said this many times.
“The reason he is not having the same impact this season and playing games as regularly as he was in previous seasons is that Riyad and Phil are in top, top form.
“They are scoring goals and playing really well. That is the only reason he has not been in the team – but the opportunities are going to come.
“And he has to be ready to show his quality, show the incredible strengths that he has.
“The only way I can phrase it is ‘let him play’ it’s the only way and after, it depends on them.
“It is not about confidence, they have our confidence, if not they won’t be here and after a few seasons, you can not imagine.
“The quality with Raheem is there. It is not a case where we have a conversation, he has no confidence and after talking with me he is confident. My squad has top-class players and each one has to take confidence for himself, inside themselves.
“It is a way to show how good they are. It is the only secret.
“The manager just has an idea how they want to play but after that the players have to show every time they have the quality.”
Pleasure
Guardiola arrives at Wembley today struggling with fatigue, just like his players, after revealing he has never lived through such a demanding year.
“I am not fresh and relaxed, believe me,” he added.
“But it’s a pleasure to be in the final on Sunday and then to go to Paris for the semi-finals of the Champions League.
“I am not complaining, but for the players it’s too much.
“Of course I’d love a fresh calendar and more time with our families but we go, go, go.
“It’s a lot, too much. I have never lived a year like this.
“We started later and will finish earlier but with the same games, the same competitions, and the same demands of the club and the fans to win,win, win.
“That’s why I am incredibly impressed and satisfied with what the players and my staff have done to get to this position.”