Guardiola sees goals in Sterling

Pep Guardiola has indicated that he sees Raheem Sterling as the solution to Manchester City’s goalscoring troubles.

City dominated their two Premier League games, against Brighton and Everton, but struggled to get past stubborn defences.

Guardiola was happy that his team had 19 attempts on goal against Everton, despite playing more than half of the match with 10 men after the sending-off of Kyle Walker. Yet City would have lost the game had Sterling, on as a substitute for Gabriel Jesus, not scored to earn a 1-1 draw.

City go to Bournemouth today worried that the flaws of last season may again be surfacing. In Guardiola’s first year, City finished 15 points behind champions Chelsea after repeatedly failing to win games they dominated.

Sterling, who scored in three of four pre-season games, could flourish as a No10 behind either Jesus or Sergio Aguero, according to Guardiola. “I’m concerned,” said the manager. “We have guys who can score goals. I never will doubt Sergio and Gabriel. We played with 10 men against 11 for more than 50 minutes against Everton, and you saw how many chances were created. It’s a little bit like last season. One day it is going to click, and we are going to score goals.”

Sterling played as a winger last season but was given a central role during City’s summer tour of America.

“I like him to sit there closer to the middle because he commits the central defenders,” Guardiola said. “He is so aggressive in the small spaces. I hope the goal he scored in the last game can help his confidence. Because with a goal, he is confident.”