sport news Raheem Sterling has admitted he is willing to LEAVE Man City but what are his ...

sport news Raheem Sterling has admitted he is willing to LEAVE Man City but what are his ...
sport news Raheem Sterling has admitted he is willing to LEAVE Man City but what are his ...

Raheem Sterling featured on Manchester City's bench a total of 16 times last season, which was a strange sight given he is usually an ever-present member of Pep Guardiola's side. 

The 26-year-old has also started only one league game since the start of the season.

It is a rather damning assessment of Sterling's current situation, considering no player has ever appeared more under Guardiola at City. 

Raheem Sterling (right) has fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola (left) at Man City

Raheem Sterling (right) has fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola (left) at Man City  

The writing is on the wall that the once star forward has fallen out of favour at the Etihad but with three goals away from reaching a century of career league goals, Sterling is hoping he can still force his way back into Guardiola’s plans.

‘I’m not a person that’s going to complain, I’ve not tried to make it a bigger deal than it actually is,’ Sterling said on Thursday night.

‘I get on with my work, do what I need to do. And I’m just raring to go: playing football matches regularly, scoring goals regularly.

‘At the end of the day, if football for me is not at a certain standard I’m not really at my happiest. If I want my happiness at a certain level I need to be playing football. I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself.’

with 18 months left on his contract Sterling has begun weighing up his options away from the Etihad

Guardiola reiterated to him that he continued to be seen as an important player during talks

The forward has started just two league games this season and is concerned over his future 

But Sterling is under no illusion that his short-term future in Manchester looks reassuring and with 18 months left on his contract he has begun weighing up his options away from the Etihad.

‘If there was the option to go somewhere else for more game time I would be open to it,’ he said. 

‘As I said football is the most important thing to me. Challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well.

‘As an English player all I know is the Premier League and I’ve always thought you know maybe one day I’d love to play abroad, to see how I would come up against that challenge.’

From ever-present to out-of-favour

Guardiola recently assured Sterling that he continued to be seen as an important player during talks between the pair.

But the England international has seemingly fallen dramatically out of favour with the City boss, going from a definite starter to dropping out of the five-player group of Citizens' captains.

And now Sterling has opted against opening discussions over an extension until his short-term future is resolved.

Since scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win at Arsenal in late February, Sterling has started just half of City’s 32 matches in all competitions and was an unused substitute on five occasions.

The England star has featured heavily on the bench since the second half of last season

The England star has featured heavily on the bench since the second half of last season 

Twice he did not even feature in the squad at all, including for a league game at Fulham following a frank discussion with Guardiola. Over that period, he has managed just two goals. 

The point of conflict between the pair can potentially be traced back to City’s 2-0 league defeat to Manchester United in March.

Following a decline in form, Sterling was then benched for the following game against Southampton and is said to have made his feelings known to the boss, according to The Athletic.

The winger was angered at the manager's decision to bench him and made it clear he was not impressed, which led to Guardiola leaving him out of the squad altogether the following week against Fulham. 

His tense relationship with Guardiola can be traced back to City's 2-0 defeat to Man United

His tense relationship with Guardiola can be traced back to City's 2-0 defeat to Man United

Following Sterling's upset at being benched, the City boss refused to include him in the squad

Following Sterling's upset at being benched, the City boss refused to include him in the squad

Their relationship then continued to suffer in the weeks and months afterwards.

But Sterling's lack of starts hasn't translated on to the international stage as he continues to be rewarded with regular England starts with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate favouring the forward.

Sterling enjoyed an impressive campaign with England during Euro 2020 and off the back of his international performances his lack of minutes under Guardiola this season appears even more bizarre. 

The lack of game time is creating a deeply frustrating scenario for Sterling who is not receiving the consistent chances needed to prove his worth to Guardiola. 

It suggests something untoward is unfolding between the Spaniard and his player with pundit Roy Keane even claiming 'there’s obviously some bust-up' between the pair. 

But what has gone on for Sterling to go from hero to zero? 

The lack of game time is creating a deeply frustrating scenario for the former Liverpool man

The lack of game time is creating a deeply frustrating scenario for the former Liverpool man

How have City left Sterling behind? 

Man City's bench alone is frightening and it is quite clear that Sterling is being shut out of the starting XI by the star power that adorns City's side.

The England international remains behind Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and £100million summer signing Jack Grealish in the pecking order at the Etihad.

The emergence of Foden has proven to be a thorn in Sterling's side. 

Sterling remains behind summer signing Jack Grealish in the pecking order at Manchester City

Sterling remains behind summer signing Jack Grealish in the pecking order at Manchester City

The 21-year-old has become integral to the City team, starring as they reached a first-ever Champions League final last season.

That was underlined last week when Foden was named on the 30-man shortlist for the men’s Ballon d’Or alongside teammates Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Dias and Riyad Mahrez.

City have tied the boyhood supporter down to 2027 in a deal that is expected to be announced over the coming days and likely to make him one of the highest-paid young players in world football.

Foden spent the beginning of this term recovering from a complicated foot injury sustained at the European Championship but has given Guardiola’s side fresh energy since his return and cemented his role in the side.

Guardiola has favoured Phil Foden (right) over Sterling since the youngster's emergence

Guardiola has favoured Phil Foden (right) over Sterling since the youngster's emergence

The home-grown star was recently shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or award for the first time

The home-grown star was recently shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or award for the first time

Meanwhile, Grealish's mega-money arrival in summer spelled further trouble for Sterling.

Sterling has been forced into a centre forward tole more often this season, having previously had success on the wing for City under Guardiola.

But that right-wing role has been taken by Gabriel Jesus this term and the addition of Grealish has created more competition on the left, meaning

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