The Manchester City forward says he is thriving under the Spaniard’s system.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their third goal
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling says is enjoying his new role under Pep Guardiola since the Spaniard took at The Etihad during the summer.
The 21 year-old told BBC Sport he is enjoying more freedom and is getting the ball a lot more during the early weeks of the Catalan’s tenure in Manchester.
After enduring a torrid time during the last weeks of the Manuel Pellegrini era and after an horrific European Championships, Sterling has scored five goals already in all competitions.
The City forward explained how in his words, he ‘lost his identity’ under his former manager, as Guardiola’s emphasis on having greater control has aided the England international’s game.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling shoots at goal
Sterling said: “Yeah I’m enjoying it. I feel a lot more freedom and get on the ball a bit more and as I get the ball I feel like I can express myself by taking touches and trying to take players on.”
“I’m really enjoying it”.
Deployed primarily on the right of attacking three, the Kingston-born man has benefited from Pep Guardiola’s high-pressing approach, utilizing width to a greater degree.
As the full-backs push down the flanks, Sterling has seen his space to operate opened up, with his pace to open up opposition defense’s key to his resurgent start to the campaign.
Making the £49m switch along the M62 from Liverpool in July 2015, the forward’s impact in Manchester has been mixed.
Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling shakes hands with manager Brendan Rodgers after being substituted
Having scored seven times and notching 10 assists under Brendan Rodgers during the 2014/15 campaign, Sterling found the target on just six occasions last term.
With Pellegrini at the helm, the City man struggled, but Sterling is keen not to put too much blame on his former boss.
“Not to say anything negative, but in training sometimes it was always two touches and you kind of get get into that way of playing”, the forward stated.
Sterling finishes by adding, “You kind of forget your identity and how to play. That’s not my style.”
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