Manchester City: Raheem Sterling was never Gunner go

As the transfer window started to wind down at the end of August rumors were circulating regarding Raheem Sterling. Recently, the player has come out to clarify his position with regards those statements, and it is very telling.

In an interview with Talksport the player said:

"“I didn’t need to speak with him (Guardiola) because I had already spoken to him during the summer about pre-season.”"

If we are to take Sterling at his word, and why wouldn’t we, it seems Guardiola has the trust of his players, and they have his.

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Barcelona and Bayern Munich players have said similar of Guardiola and his man-management style and, for a fan, it is good to see. Even as the original story broke it amazed me that City would enter into such a transaction. My only fear was that Pep wanted Sanchez so bad he might have his hand forced.

It seems Raheem was as surprised reading it in the British press as we were and, after forcing through his move from Liverpool, would be a step, or two back. I have made no secret of my feelings for the number 7. Frustrating at times? Absolutely. But he has bags of skill and potential which we would have been foolish to let go.

He still has half of his five-year contract remaining at City and, so far, his move has been the correct one for the Jamaican born England international. Pundits may say he has gone off the boil since leaving Liverpool, but his stats say different.

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While at Liverpool he scored 23 goals in 129 games, with his most productive season being his last with the Merseysiders. That season he featured in 52 games in all competitions, scoring 11 goals in the process.

At City he has scored a total of 28 goals, having played twenty five games less. Scoring double digits in both previous seasons, he is now on seven goals for this season after only ten games. The best is certainly yet to come and, at only 22 years old, has time to become one of Englands best.