Raheem Sterling could leave Manchester City this summer and Chelsea look the most likely destination for the 27-year-old, to the surprise of many. But one person who can’t claim to be shocked at Sterling potentially leaving is Pep Guardiola, because he’s been aware for nearly two years that the England international was unhappy.
As far back as January 2021, Sterling asked for a move away from City as he was disillusioned with a lack of consistent playing time. He refused to sign a new deal too and parted company with agent Aidy Ward. The following summer, a spat between Sterling and Guardiola was alleged, resulting in City slapping a £45m price tag on him.
The 27-year-old scored 14 goals with 12 assists from 49 games in 2020/21, but he started only 28 Premier League games from a possible 38 and started in seven Champions League outings from a possible 13, playing a total of 10 minutes in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Sterling wanted out that summer but no acceptable bid came City’s way before the start of the season. And with Guardiola continuing to rotate the 27-year-old, he told his manager that he wanted a loan move to Barcelona in January 2022. No deal materialised, however, so Sterling had to wait until this summer to push for a departure.
Sterling is now out of contract in 2023 and won’t sign a new deal that’s on the table as he started just 23 league games from a possible 38 and started five Champions League games from a possible 12 this season, so City must cash in rather than risk losing the England international on a free transfer next year.
Guardiola was warned about rotating Sterling and leaving him out of big games, but he didn’t heed the message. Now he’s having to lose a valuable asset to a title rival.
In other news, Kevin Campbell makes transfer claim as Man City consider Chelsea deal