Soccer

Sterling can leave Manchester City if he wants, says Guardiola

Manager surprised at forward’s admission he may seek a move to get more game time

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and manager Pep Guardiola. ‘He’s such an important player for us.’ File photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire

Jamie Jackson
Fri Oct 15 2021 - 22:30

Pep Guardiola has expressed surprise at Raheem Sterling’s admission that he is open to leaving Manchester City to seek more game time and said the forward can move if he wants.

Sterling lost his regular starting place towards the end of last season, and stated on Thursday he may leave the champions, possibly to play abroad. The 26-year-old has 18 months on his contract and Guardiola was asked about the comments.

“I didn’t know it and I think the club neither,” he said. “Raheem is our player, hopefully he will [continue to] be an incredibly important player for us. I don’t know if he wants to play more game time like Riyad [Mahrez], who doesn’t play and he doesn’t complain, like João [Cancelo] doesn’t play and he doesn’t complain.

“Some players complain because they want to play all the time. I cannot assure them, I spoke to them many times about that – I cannot assure how many minutes each one plays. Always they have to speak on the pitch. Not Raheem, all of them. They know they are going to play minutes. I’m not a guy that plays only 11 players; all of them are involved.”

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Free to depart

Guardiola suggested that if Sterling is not happy he is free to depart. “What I want from Raheem and everyone is they have to be satisfied to be here and delighted to be in this club,” he said. “If that’s not the case they are free to take the best decision for the player and his family. Not just Raheem, all of them want to play every game but I cannot assure them. They have to improve every training session and be there on the pitch and try to be happy there.

“Raheem played the final of the Champions League. He’s such an important player for us, many players are so important. But I have to treat Cole Palmer the same like Kevin De Bruyne. Why should I treat Kevin De Bruyne differently than Cole Palmer? Both have parents, have friends . . .”

Guardiola said the forward Ferran Torres would be out for 2½ to three months with a metatarsal injury.

– Guardian

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