Pep Guardiola has reflected on Raheem Sterling’s display in his side’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Southampton at the weekend, which has got many Manchester City fans talking.
Sterling has improved immeasurably since making the move from Liverpool to City in 2015. He has scored 73 league goals in just 168 league games under the Spaniard.
However, his form dipped in the 2020/21 campaign, and he faces added competition for places following the arrival of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in the summer.
The England international was handed his first start since City’s 1-0 defeat away at Tottenham on the opening day of the Premier League campaign back in August.
Sterling’s rough time continued in the 0-0 draw against Southampton and it doesn’t look like getting easier for him any time soon.
The England man struggled to really get into the game. He attempted just 18 passes throughout the game, completing 16, and had four shots of which two were on target.
His overall play was poor, and it’s no surprise that with his back to goal the 5-foot-seven-inch forward struggled to make a real impact on the game.
Ahead of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night, Guardiola delivered his honest verdict on Sterling’s performance on Saturday at the Etihad.
“He (Sterling) was so active in terms of movement, but football depends a lot on how good we do the process in build-up,” said the 50-year-old in his post-match press-conference.
“And when it (build-up) happens, our strikers and wingers play better, and our attacking midfielders play better.”
“On Saturday (vs Southampton), we struggled a bit, and that is why he (Sterling) didn’t get many balls, but he was always dangerous and ready to try to do it,” The Catalan added.
These Guardiola’s honest verdict on Sterling has prompt Plenty of Sky Blues to react on social media.
No. He didn’t. Think Torres is better at movement
— DR⚽️ (@ThisIsDIR) September 20, 2021
He can’t play striker.
— 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐲 (@Cory_MCFC) September 19, 2021
Stop playing him striker then mf. Let him be the one progressing the ball.
— 🅰️ (@abzMCFC) September 19, 2021
Sterling is absolute cheeks wish Pep would realise that
— Andy🇧🇼 (@VersatileGabby) September 19, 2021
At this point I ain’t mad if we start Delap.
— CallMeJamzy💤 (@Jamzymcfc) September 19, 2021
Sterling hasn’t had a good game in 2 years. Should be nowhere near the starting 11 from now on
— Jonny (@mcfc_JD) September 19, 2021
Pep is genuinely concerning me with his ongoing apparent faith in Sterling when he’s just not working in the team at the moment 😬
— Mink (@minksfootie) September 19, 2021
Quite unfair when players who are currently on form like Ferran have to be benched just we can wait for sterling to get back to form
— Mo Italiano (@VenicePrince) September 19, 2021
no way you lot in the comments section think you know better than an actual manger
— nic💫 (@tuffxoo) September 19, 2021
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