‘I’m not happy’ – Sterling laments reduced Man City minutes

Nicholas Hughes

• 21 Jun 2021 09:47 BST
• 5 min read

Raheem Sterling has admitted he is not happy whenever he is not selected for Manchester City after a difficult Premier League season.

The former Liverpool winger started 28 games this season and made 31 appearances overall, his lowest figures since his first season at the Etihad in 2015/16.

Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden became Pep Guardiola’s first choices in wide areas, and Sterling admitted he was unhappy whenever he was left out of the side.

“If you’re not playing, you’re not happy,” he told reporters.

“That’s me, that’s been me since I was a kid. If I’m playing football I am really happy, if I’m not, I’m not happy.

“It is just happiness, just being happy, enjoying my football and that is what I’m doing being here with the national team.”

Sterling has so far scored England’s only goal of Euro 2020 across the Three Lions’ first two games, with plenty of outside noise surrounding both his and the team’s performances.

Along with not being selected, Sterling’s form was also the worst it has been at City for some time, with how lowest return of goals and assists since his second campaign in Manchester.

The Citizens are heavily linked with Sterling’s England teammates Jack Grealish and Harry Kane, which could make Sterling’s minutes even more hard to come by.

Is Raheem Sterling already on the outer at Man City?

Guardiola spoke openly about Sterling last month, admitting that he had fallen behind other players in the pecking order but backing his quality and personal drive.

“Raheem is an extraordinary player – he was, is and will be,” he told reporters at the time.

Sterling insisted his focus is currently on the remainder of the European Championships with England ahead of their final group game, a must-win against the Czech Republic.

After that, Sterling could well be playing for his future at City as the club once again will embark on an assault on the Premier League title and begin another quest for an elusive Champions League title.