Pep Guardiola needs Raheem Sterling to rediscover his best level if he is to return to being a Manchester City regular. The 26-year-old has been an integral part of the manager’s plans for the majority of his five years at the Etihad, but fell out of favour in the final months of last season as Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and others kept him out of the team. City’s manager is still backing the forward to impress this season, but wants him to reproduce his best form.
Pep Guardiola said: “Do you know how many incredible successes we had in the last seasons yeah? Impossible without Raheem. He’s such an important player. But I am here to tell them. He reached an incredible high standard and I have to tell him this is the standard we need, for you, for all of us. And I’m pretty sure he will get it. If he’s able to do it, he will do it. And I’m so optimistic that he will do a great season.”