‘100% correct’, ‘Pep is rendering him out’ – Man City Fans react to the ‘central factor’ behind Sterling’s fall at the Etihad

Manchester City Fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relays a report that claims Raheem Sterling‘s contract is not the central factor behind his diminishing opportunities under Pep Guardiola.

The England international has struggled to hold a key role in Pep Guardiola’s plans so far this season, despite earning consistent minutes.

The 26-year-old has only started six of his 15 appearances in all competitions, including one in the Champions League and three in the Premier League.

Guardiola introduced Sterling off the bench at home to the Blauw-Zwart on Wednesday night. After coming off the substitutes’ bench, within minutes, he was on the scoresheet to secured City a 4-1 win over Club Brugge at the Etihad.

It has been a long and difficult couple of months in a Manchester City shirt for Sterling. Phil Foden’s development and the £100million arrival of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa has only further fuelled the belief that the 26-year-old will leave, with Barcelona poised to make the deal happen.

It has been claimed that the evolution of Man City’s game has rendered Sterling less important than during the early days of Guardiola’s reign.

According to Mark Ogden writes for ESPN, the ‘central factor‘ behind the player’s ‘diminishing opportunities‘ is due to the ‘evolution‘ of Manchester City’s game tactically.

The report claims the “Initially, Sterling’s pace and ability to get behind opposing defence’s was a key element of Guardiola’s tactical blueprint.”

“But the arrival of (Jack) Grealish has enabled City to play a more technical, possession-based game, without relying on a central striker in the attacking third – (a style) that’s less suited to Sterling’s attributes.”

In reaction to the report shared on Twitter by City Xtra, many Man City fans have been expressing their thoughts and opinions.

100% correct

— Abu Kame (@abukame) November 4, 2021

Pep is rendering him out of position but when he does play in position he plays well

— M0ee 👋🏽 (@officialm0ee) November 4, 2021

Literally proved in 20 minutes last night he should be in instead of grealish 🤣

— Martin (@Martin85272642) November 4, 2021

sterling literally proved last night our attack is missing pace

— KΛI (@kmason7i) November 4, 2021

Sterling deserves new contract yes this year was bit rough for him otherwise he has done a lot

— Stark (@Stark03865875) November 4, 2021

Put him on the right when grealish is playing on the left. Put him on the left when mahrez is playing on the right. The only thing he provides now is pace down the line which is what we lack when grealish and mahrez play on the wings

— Jake (@Jake13379492) November 4, 2021

i remember days when skillful + pacy wingers were our main weapons upfront , and we dominates them by breaking all the records. so why we change that? all we had to do is sign Aguero replacement and make that trio happens again

— Hirő. (@MancunHiro) November 4, 2021