“He’s going to need him” – Ex-Man City player asks Guardiola to put his arm around Sterling’s shoulder

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“He’s going to need him” – Ex-Man City player asks Guardiola to put his arm around Sterling’s shoulder

Former Manchester City defender Michael Ball believes Pep Guardiola should put his arm around Raheem Sterling’s shoulder and that the 26-year-old will be needed this season.

Sterling has started just two Premier League games for City since Jack Grealish’s £100 million move from Aston Villa, but he has played in all seven.

The £81 million-rated England international was also frequently overlooked by Guardiola in the knockout stages of City’s Champions League campaign last season, with reports in the summer claiming that the club were willing to offload him in their pursuit of Tottenham’s Harry Kane.

Following a difficult period in Sterling’s City career, Ball has now urged Guardiola to show the attacker some love, believing that he will be needed this season.

“He’s a guy I think Pep needs to call upon and put his arm around his shoulder to get the best out of him,” the retired full-back exclusively told TIF. “Yeah, he’d like to play. We know that.

“It’s a difficult squad to get in that starting XI, but I think if Pep puts his arm around his shoulder and does get the best out of him… because he’s going to need him for this long season ahead.”

Indeed, it will be a long season, with City likely to compete on all fronts, as they have done since Guardiola’s arrival at the Etihad, so Sterling and the rest of the attack will be required.

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“He’s going to need him” – Ex-Man City player asks Guardiola to put his arm around Sterling’s shoulder