‘In a few years he’ll be a better player than today’: Pep Guardiola says that Raheem Sterling still has plenty of room for improvement as he inspires win
- Pep Guardiola says Raheem Sterling has more to give at Manchester City
- Sterling came off the bench to break the deadlock against Dinamo Zagreb
- The 24-year-old also assisted for Phil Foden to notch a second in stoppage-time
- Guardiola says Foden is going to be an ‘incredibly important player in the future’
Pep Guardiola has warned that Raheem Sterling still has gears to motor through as the forward continues his charge to becoming one of the world’s best players.
Sterling came off the bench with Manchester City struggling to break down Dinamo Zagreb last night, scoring within 10 minutes of his introduction.
The England international has now scored 41 goals for club and country in the last 12 months and Guardiola believes he still has more to give.
Raheem Sterling celebrates opening the scoring for Manchester City against Dinamo Zagreb
‘In a few years he’ll be a better player than today,’ Guardiola said. The feeling we had when we arrived is that he played good but it was like he didn’t care.
‘Now his movement is there. He can still improve his finishing. Raheem is a player that with a cross he is always there. He has this talent. Always there, he has that feeling.’ Sterling also assisted for Phil Foden to notch a second in stoppage-time minutes after the 19-year-old academy product had come on.
Guardiola was again forced to defend his treatment of the central midfielder. ‘He deserves to play,’ the City boss said.
City boss Pep Guardiola believes the England star can still improve his finishing
‘I want to give him minutes. Every time I don’t play him I’m so sorry. The best way to grow up is to play minutes. He is so young. I don’t know how many players in that age played his minutes. He’s going to be an incredibly important player in the future.’
Foden added: ‘You have to show the manager what you can do each day in training, every young kid wants to play but you have to keep patient.’ Sterling believes Foden’s future lies alongside him in Gareth Southgate’s England team once he is afforded a sustained spot in the City team.
‘I am buzzing for Phil and I want him in the national team, if he keeps going he will be there,’ Sterling said. ‘The players that we have here, you have to read the game and the goals will come.’
Phil Foden points to the badge after sealing the Champions League victory with a goal
Guardiola confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne’s groin injury may keep him out of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Wolves, while refusing to be drawn on the performance of referee Serdar Gozubuyuk.
City were denied at least two penalties and Guardiola was cautioned for his protestations. The Spaniard did hint that poor decisions were a theme.
‘This season, what I’m delighted with the most is that nobody gave us anything,’ he said. ‘We did it for ourselves. In the previous seasons – nothing. That is top, that is why I love this team.’
Kevin De Bruyne’s groin injury may keep him out of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Wolves