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4:15
Guardiola on Sterling "I want happy players in the team and if you are not, we will find a solution"
The subject of Raheem Sterling is becoming more and more frequent in Manchester City or at least this time it has been during Pep Guardiola's press conference. There are already several weeks when they talk about the possible departure of the English player and the interest of several European clubs of great importance.
One of them is Barcelona, who for several years have shown their interest in the young player and possible promise of world football. Likewise, the English attacker has acknowledged that he has planned to leave the club to play abroad, his greatest concern currently is the lack of minutes with his club where his role as a substitute is very marked.
Pep Guardiola's response
The player's words during an interview with an English magazine were transmitted to his coach, who was quite forceful with his answers and was not very happy with this news.
"I did not know the words of Sterling. Raheem, he is a very important player for us, but we will have to see what happens, I cannot guarantee minutes. I want satisfied players. If they are not, then we will have to make a decision." Sentencing at the end that the doors of his exit are open.
Pep Guardiola also wanted to encourage the player to show on the playing field that he wants to have more minutes, but he is very aware that when the market will be, everything can happen, considering that several clubs want the attacker and that his contract ends in by 2023. "In the competition I want everyone to be there and fight for their position, for this they have to give their best. When the transfer market opens we will have to decide."
During the press conference, the Catalan coach confirmed the absence due to injury of Ferran Torres, who will be out of the field for two or three months and that the Brazilian internationals would not be arriving for this weekend. Thus ending his press conference.
On the words of the City attacker
"Personally I did not know, I think the club did not know something either. Raheem is our player and has been very important to us, we will see what happens, but I can not assure anyone minutes. The only thing I want from Sterling and each of the players of the squad is that they are satisfied here, if they are not, we will make a decision. " Guardiola assured.
"It's like Riyad complaining when he has almost no minutes or Joao, but I can't promise them minutes. I think the players have to earn it by showing it on the pitch. Everyone knows they have to be involved with the number of games we have. But my message is that all the players of this club have to earn the minutes in training and games. " The Catalan technician added.
Few minutes?
"I consider myself a coach who always gives players opportunities. When this happens, they have to show that they want more minutes, I would like to give everyone all the minutes, but they only play eleven, I can't do anything about it," said Pep.
"I think we all know the importance of Raheem for us, but he competes in a position with Bernardo Silva, Foden, Grealish, Gabriel Jesus and Mahrez, that's the reality, it's not easy. The best reaction right now is to show that you want to have more minutes when given the opportunity. " Guardiola concluded.
Could Sterling renew his contract?
The Catalan coach also spoke about the possible renewal of the English player, commenting on the following:
Will renew ? I am not involved in the issue of player contracts, I would not know how to answer.
" I don't want to have unhappy players in the team, if this kind of thing happens, talk to the club and try to give a favorable solution for everyone. I'm not saying it just for Raheem, but for all the players in the squad. During the competitions I want them to be there and give their best, when the transfer market arrives we will see what happens ".
"I'm just the coach here, I don't make any decisions for the players, I make them for the team, to get results and make the fans and the club's board happy. I have to treat Kevin de Bruyne and Cole Palmer in the same way., there would be no reason to treat them differently. "
