What a past few months it’s been for Manchester City.
The rocky start to 2020/21 feels like an absolute lifetime ago now, with Pep Guardiola’s squad in outrageously good shapein spite of the season’s hectic nature.
The team is winning games, there are no injuries and the hunt for four trophies remains alive and well.
Confidence is coursing through the Etihad dressing room right now, with a large percentage in great form.
One man who isn’t quite at the top of his game right now though, is one Raheem Sterling.
By no means has the 26-year-old been dropping stinkers, but it’s clear he is currently being outperformed by the likes of Riayd Mahrez, Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus and Bernando Silva.
His last goal for City game against Arsenal a month ago – since then, he’s only made a couple of appearances in the Premier League, as well as two appearances against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League (69 minutes followed by 20 minutes).
There’s been some speculation about the recent decrease in minutes for Sterling.
Some have suggested Pep Guardiola is trying to light a fire beneath the England international.
Others have claimed it’s purely a case of resting a player who has featured so heavily for City over the past few years.
Either way, the international break comes at a good time for the star.
Sterling can rediscover confidence with England
Being with England for the next couple of weeks could do Sterling the world of good.
He’s likely to see a decent amount of game time as Gareth Southgate looks to find his best team before the European Championships.
Games against San Marino, Albania and Poland represent great chances for Sterling to get amongst the goals and get his mojo back.
Watching him over the past few weeks, he has appeared a little short on confidence, and so this is a potentially just what he needs.
