Ilkay Gundogan will seek assurances over his playing time when he discusses a new contract with Manchester City.
10.05.2022 - 09:43 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
As Manchester City sent an emphatic message to Merseyside and beyond that they had not been broken by their Champions League exit, Raheem Sterling was quietly making a statement of his own; despite the ups and down of his season, no player has matched his 12 goals for the Blues in the Premier League.
It is typical for Sterling to go unnoticed - there are still some flat-earthers out there that put his ability to find space in the box down to luck rather than elite footballing intelligence - and there is irony in the fact that the player still judges his seasons on goals scored when there is so much more to his game than that. Considering the last campaign and the uncertainty that still hangs around his future with a contract expiring in 2023, it is no small feat that he has maintained his form and numbers.
If there was any confusion over why the 27-year-old would hold off signing a new contract at the Etihad in the New Year after a sensational turnaround in form led him to win the December Player of the Month award jut six weeks after telling reporters he could leave if he did not get more regular game time, there should not be by now. After getting just seven minutes in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, Sterling was thrown on in extra time of the second leg - asked to try to bail out a team that had been built for 90 minutes and had performed so well for the first 89 before spectacularly collapsing.
Also read: Man City to avoid transfer saga as they close on Erling Haaland deal
Every player wants to start in the big games and Sterling's ability and profile mean that other clubs will be interested in taking advantage of his situation, there are not many that could match his ambitions. Arsenal and AC
Ilkay Gundogan will seek assurances over his playing time when he discusses a new contract with Manchester City.
Raheem Sterling is a target of Tottenham, according to reports.
Five Manchester City players will represent England in their Nations League fixtures next month. Gareth Southgate has called up all of his City internationals for the fixtures vs Hungary home and away, Germany and Italy between June 4 and June 14.
Raheem Sterling has explained that Liverpool’s great chase inspired Manchester City to the Premier League title.
Fernandinho says the love and respect he has had from Manchester City fans has been a big factor in him staying at the club for nine years. And the Brazilian ace, who plays his final game against Aston Villa on Sunday - when he hopes to lift the Premier League trophy for the fifth time - says he is virtually a Mancunian now.
Steven Gerrard has defended his Aston Villa side ahead of their role in Sunday's Premier League final day - where they face Manchester City at the Etihad.
Bacary Sagna has told Raheem Sterling not to be overly concerned about the time he has spent on the bench recently as it isn't a barometer of how much he is rated by Pep Guardiola.
Ilkay Gundogan’s future will be determined after the season is over amid speculation that he is set to leave Manchester City this summer. A report has suggested the Germany international, Pep Guardiola’s first signing as Blues boss, will be offloaded in the next transfer window, when he has a year left on his current contract.
Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish admits that he will have to put sentiment to one side as he continues to chase his Premier League title dream. Grealish sparked a turnaround for City at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the champions hit back to draw with West Ham.
Pep Guardiola has laughed off Patrice Evra’s claim that he doesn’t want players with personality or leadership qualities. The former Manchester United man was speaking in the aftermath of Manchester City’s collapse against Real Madrid in last week’s Champions League semi-final second leg.
Manchester City travel to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night, with only three wins required to retain their Premier League crown.
Jack Grealish insisted that Manchester City didn't set out to significantly improve their goal difference in the win over Newcastle, but they were keen to take the chance to do so when it presented itself.
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba's reported move to Manchester City has been dubbed "unlikely". The Frenchman will be available on a free transfer in the summer as his second stint at Old Trafford comes to an end. Real Madrid, PSG and a return to Juventus could be on the cards with the European trio linked.