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RAHEEM STERLING OPEN TO MANCHESTER CITY EXIT AS HE SEEKS MORE GAME TIME

Raheem Sterling would be open to moving away from Manchester City to get more game time.

England forward Sterling has made just two Premier League starts this season under Pep Guardiola.

Speaking at the FT Business of Sport US Summit on Thursday evening, Sterling said: “If there was the opportunity to go somewhere else (for more game time), I would be open to it at this moment in time.

“As I said, football is the most important thing to me – challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well, to play abroad.

“As an English player all I know is the Premier League and I have always had something down (in me) that maybe one day I would love to play abroad to see how I would come up against that challenge.”

City boss Guardiola maintains Sterling is still very much a key member of the squad.

With forward Ferran Torres having suffered a fractured foot whilst on international duty with Spain, Sterling could soon be given another opportunity as City resume their Premier League campaign against Burnley on Saturday.

However, Sterling, whose current deal runs through to 2023, intends to continue to focus on maintaining his own standards whenever called upon.

“I’m not a person that’s going to complain. I’ve not tried to make it a bigger deal than it actually is,” Sterling said.

“I get on with my work, do what I need to do. And I’m just raring to go – playing football matches regularly, score goals regularly.

“From being a young child, football has been the most important thing in my life, my most happiest I should say.

“When I play football that is where I get my happiness from. And of course with family as well but football for me has a special place in my heart.

“With everything that comes with football, money, being able to do nice things, at the end of the day if football for me is not at a certain standard I’m not really at my happiest.

“If I want my happiness at a certain level I need to be playing football. I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself.”

Sterling remains focused on what has helped him reach the top of his game for club and country.

Speaking about his personal targets, Sterling said: “(It is about) keeping humble, keeping that hard working spirit, chasing the next goal. Making targets, trying to do better than I did last season.

“Trying to get better numbers than I did last season. Keeping that hunger. Keeping that in your stomach. That’s the only way you can get better from here.

“(It is about) consistency – you might have a Champions League game midweek against one of the biggest teams in Europe, and then at the weekend you might have to travel to one of the teams in the relegation zone.

“It’s having that same will and desire – going to a Champions League game and then doing the same thing on a cold day somewhere where a team is fighting for survival. It’s that consistency, to win and want to win.

“You are always trying to make a step up and there are frustrations along that way. It is how you overcome them to keep elevated.”

Sterling revealed he looks to use any criticism in a constructive manner.

“(What do I use) to give me an edge? If there is a big game coming up, probably a little bit of criticism to try and spin it. That is one of my best traits,” he said.

“I mean a challenge, so not necessarily something negative, but maybe somebody said ‘he has not scored in a few games now’, something like that.”

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STERLING, KANE LEAD ENGLAND OVER HUNGARY IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

England eased to a comfortable 4-0 win over Hungary at the Puskas Arena on Thursday to move five points clear at the top of World Cup qualifying Group I.

It was a miserable night for Hungary on the field and the country’s Football Federation is likely to face a FIFA investigation after crowd misbehaviour and reports of racial abuse of two of England’s Black players.England showed no signs of a hangover from their Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy with an excellent second-half display from Gareth Southgate’s side.

“It is a real tough place to come, we knew it was going to be a difficult game and such a big game in the group as well, we knew if we won here it puts us into a great position and almost one foot into the World Cup,” captain Harry Kane said.

“It couldn’t have been better than 4-0 away from home, a great night for us,” he added.

Raheem Sterling put England ahead in the 55th minute, after a frustrating first half, slotting home a low pull-back from Mason Mount who had been found by Jack Grealish.

Sterling was the provider for England’s second eight minutes later, when his deflected cross was headed in by a stooping Kane.

Harry Maguire made it 3-0 in the 69th minute with a header from a Luke Shaw corner that Hungary keeper Peter Gulacsi got a hand to but which crept over the line.

Declan Rice added the fourth, three minutes from the end, with a shot from outside the box which got through the body of Gulacsi who should have kept the effort out.

Gulacsi had made a series of saves from Kane with the England striker lacking his usual clinical touch.

Hungary, already facing two games behind closed doors in UEFA competition after incidents at their national stadium during Euro 2020, could face sanctions from FIFA after fans threw objects, mostly beer cups, at England players on two occasions. A flare was also thrown on to the pitch.

British broadcaster ITV said racist “monkey noises” were aimed at Sterling and England substitute Jude Bellingham from the hardcore “ultras” behind the goal.

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Cristiano Ronaldo arrival could see Raheem Sterling leave Manchester City

Cristiano Ronaldo’s proposed move to Manchester City could see Raheem Sterling leave the Etihad Stadium, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Portugal international is believed to be closing in on a move to the Citizens, although the Premier League champions are yet to agree a transfer fee with Juventus.

According to Romano, Man City will need to balance the books if Ronaldo arrives, and Sterling could potentially leave the club ‘if the right bid is made’ before the end of the transfer window.

The England international, who has less than two years left to run on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, has scored 115 goals and registered 87 assists in 294 appearances for the Citizens in all competitions.

Sterling was again an important player for the club last term, contributing 14 goals and 12 assists in 49 outings, but he struggled to show his best form for periods of the campaign.

The 26-year-old, who is believed to have rejected the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, came off the bench to score in Man City’s 5-0 win over Norwich City last weekend

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EURO 2020: ENGLAND TOP GROUP D AS STERLING GOAL SEES OFF CZECH REPUBLIC

England progressed to the European Championship knockout phase as group winners thanks to Raheem Sterling’s early header in a 1-0 victory against the Czech Republic.

Having kicked off Group D by beating World Cup semi-final foes Croatia and then been booed off following the goalless draw with rivals Scotland, Gareth Southgate’s already-qualified side put in a controlled display on Tuesday.

Sterling headed home fan favourite Jack Grealish’s cross to seal a narrow win against the Czechs at Wembley, where England will return next Tuesday for a last-16 tie against France, Germany, Portugal or Hungary.

Facing the runners-up in the so-called group of death looks a tough ask but there is a lot to be said for home comforts – plus facing underdogs at the Euros does not always go well, such as Iceland five years ago.

There remains plenty for Southgate’s men to improve on after Tuesday’s hard-fought victory, but England reacted well to a disrupted build-up that saw Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell forced into isolation.

The fallout to their interaction with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for Covid-19, will rumble on, but Mount’s replacement Grealish impressed – as did fellow tournament full debutant Bukayo Saka.

The fearless pair were involved in the winning goal under the arch, where Sterling bounced back from hitting a post in the opening stages to head home Grealish’s 12th-minute cross.

There were some nervy moments when the Czechs settled and Harry Kane’s wait for his first Euros goal continues, but England professionally saw out a forgettable second half to wrap up qualification without conceding.

England’s final Group D match started like the previous two as a Manchester City player hit the woodwork.

Sterling was sent scampering behind the Czech backline by a smart Luke Shaw pass, getting to the ball before Tomas Vaclik and leaving the goalkeeper watching helplessly as the shot bounced back off the far post.

John Stones and Kane had efforts during a bright opening that brought about a 12th-minute opener and vindication for those calling for Grealish’s inclusion.

Livewire Saka started the move in his own half that led to him sending over a cross, with the Aston Villa playmaker eventually jinking into space to send a perfect clipped ball to the far post for Sterling to head home.

“It’s coming home” echoed around Wembley, where a firm stop by Vaclik denied Kane having been found superbly by Harry Maguire on his return to action from six weeks out with an ankle complaint.

But just like the other group games, England dropped off midway through the opening period and Jordan Pickford did well to stop Tomas Holes’ impressive 30-yard drive nestling in the top left-hand corner.

The Czechs were making life uncomfortable and impressive West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek went agonisingly close when swinging a strike just wide.

England eventually settled as Grealish and Saka continued to prove exciting outlets, with Shaw seeing a cross deflect into the side-netting and Kane seeing a fizzing strike saved before offside was called.

Jordan Henderson replaced Declan Rice at the break, with the experienced vice-captain helping England stay in control without exerting themselves too much.

Attacks at either end were stopped by smart defending or poor final decisions, with Southgate turning to substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jude Bellingham in a bid to change the dynamics of the second half.
The decision to take off Grealish was met by a smattering of jeers during a period when Maguire saw penalty claims ignored.

Tyrone Mings and Jadon Sancho came on in front of a flat Wembley crowd, with Tomas Pekhart striking just wide from the edge of the box following a hashed Pickford clearance.

Substitute Henderson thought he had scored his first international goal late on, only for the offside flag to deny him towards the end of an underwhelming match that keeps hopes of an exciting summer alive.

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EURO 2020: STERLING ON TARGET AS ENGLAND BEAT CROATIA IN GROUP C

Raheem Sterling’s first major tournament goal got England’s Euro 2020 campaign off to a winning start as Gareth Southgate’s side overcame World Cup semi-final foes Croatia.

Three years on from their heartbreaking extra-time loss at the Luzhniki, England exacted some sort of revenge by triumphing in the Group D opener at a pulsating, partially filled Wembley.

Sterling’s goal secured a 1-0 win against Croatia on a sweltering Sunday afternoon.

A smattering of jeers when players took the knee before kick-off made way for a start as lively as the socially distanced crowd at the first major men’s international tournament match on home soil since Euro 96.

England shone during the opening 20 minutes, only for Croatia to settle and take the sting out of a sharp attack that continued to underwhelm early in second half.

England had never previously won their opening game at a European Championship and, just as fans began to worry that run might continue, a moment of incision cut the visitors’ backline open.

The impressive Kalvin Phillips cut inside and smartly put through Sterling to smash home his first tournament goal.

It proved the winner at the end of a week to remember for the 26-year-old, who was made an MBE for his work for services to racial equality in sport in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Sterling continued that fight by taking the knee before kick-off alongside his team-mates, with some ignoring pleas to respect players by booing the gesture before applause and cheers drowned the minority out.

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RAHEEM STERLING, JORDAN HENDERSON SET TO RECEIVE MBE AWARDS

England footballers Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson will receive the MBE as part of Queen Elizabeth’s birthday honours list announced on Friday.

Manchester City forward Sterling, 26, is being recognised for his campaigning against racism and setting up a foundation for deprived children.

“I am grateful to have been recognised but my priority is to try to help to educate society and myself,” Sterling said. “If it doesn’t start from within, then there’s no way you can help others.

“I’m learning every day. My motivation for racial equality is to get people to understand the difficulties people from diverse backgrounds face and create an environment where everybody is equal.”

Liverpool captain Henderson will receive the honour after spearheading the ‘Players Together’ fund for Premier League players to raise money for the National Health Service at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

“I accept this in the knowledge I was part of something special, rather than the reason for it,” the 30-year-old midfielder said.

“The other Premier League captains were the catalyst and the rest of the players, including my own team mates at Liverpool, were a driving force behind the scenes.”

Henderson and Sterling are currently part of the England squad, who open their European Championship campaign against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday.

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ZIYECH, ALONSO ON TARGET AS CHELSEA DELAY CITY’S TITLE CORONATION

Chelsea stopped Manchester City claiming the 2020/21 Premier League title as they came from behind to win 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Raheem Sterling opened the scoring on 44 minutes, taking the ball off the toes of Sergio Aguero to score his first league goal since 21 February.

Aguero missed a fantastic chance to double City’s advantage in first-half stoppage time, chipping a penalty into the arms of Edouard Mendy after Billy Gilmour had fouled Gabriel Jesus.

Chelsea equalised just after the hour mark when Hakim Ziyech’s fierce shot found the corner.

They snatched the win in stoppage time when Marcos Alonso swept home to earn Chelsea a third straight league win.

City remain 13 points clear of Manchester United, who must avoid defeat at Aston Villa tomorrow to keep the title race alive.

Chelsea leapfrog Leicester City into third with 64 points, six above West Ham United in fifth.

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RAHEEM STERLING EARLY STRIKE KEEPS CITY WINNING RUN

Raheem Sterling struck in the second minute to give leaders Manchester City a 1-0 win at Arsenal, their 13th consecutive Premier League victory.

Sterling leapt high to nod in Riyad Mahrez’s right-wing cross and it proved to be decisive as Man City opened up a 10-point lead over Leicester City at the top of the table.

Sterling could have scored twice more in the first five minutes while Ilkay Gundogan was denied by Bernd Leno, who tipped away his 56th-minute shot.

At the other end, Mohamed Elneny drove wide after some hesitancy in the City defence with 17 minutes left.

City are now unbeaten in 17 Premier League matches and move on to 59 points. Arsenal stay 10th on 34 points.

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SOTON 0-1 MANCITY: STERLING EARLY STRIKE GIVES CITIZENS LONE EDGE AGAINST STUBBORN SAINTS.

Raheem Sterling scored the only goal as Manchester City beat Southampton to move right behind them in the table.

City took the lead after 16 minutes when Sterling converted Kevin De Bruyne’s pull-back for his fourth league goal of the season.

Southampton responded well, with Theo Walcott and Jannik Vestergaard having the best of several first-half chances, but they could not beat Ederson.

The hosts were hit by the early departure with a hamstring injury of leading scorer Danny Ings and, despite second-half pressure, could not find an equaliser.

Having extended their unbeaten run to five matches, City sit sixth with 23 points.

Southampton are a point and a place ahead, having played a match more.

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MAN CITY 2-0 FULHAM: DE BRUYNE, STERLING EASE CITY PAST FULHAM

First-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne steered Manchester City past Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.

Sterling slotted City in front on five minutes after being played through by De Bruyne.

The two also combined for City’s second, Sterling earning a penalty on 26 minutes that was converted by De Bruyne.

Fulham briefly rallied as Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa headed over, before Alphonse Areola made a good save from Sterling’s volley.

De Bruyne had three chances to add to his tally in the second half, the best of which came back off the crossbar.

Fulham’s Ivan Cavaleiro forced a good save from Ederson, but City weathered the visitors’ late pressure to secure a clean sheet.

A second successive win sends City fifth with 18 points, while Fulham have seven and stay 17th.