Sterling explains how Pep has improved his game

Matt Stead

Raheem Sterling has made no secret of the fact that unbeaten Manchester City are “gunning for titles” under Pep Guardiola.

City continue their Champions League campaign against Celtic on Wednesday following a run of six successive Premier League wins – and 10 victories in all competitions – since Guardiola took charge.

Sterling and company are four points clear of their closest Premier League rival after his breakaway goal sealed a 3-1 win at Swansea.

But one look at City’s October fixture schedule – their games include appointments with Tottenham, Everton, Barcelona and Manchester United across three different competitions – confirms Sterling’s theory of keeping matters in perspective.

“We have to just keep humble and keep working hard,” England international Sterling said. “We have to remind ourselves it is only September – the season has a lot left in it.

“We have to take it game by game. I know that sounds boring, but that’s the way it is.

“It is early to say what we are going to be doing, but we want to be champions. We are gunning for titles, and we need to keep our heads down and keep going step by step.

“This is a team that is forever growing and developing. Those relationships are developing – the team spirit is great in the dressing room, on the pitch. We are fighting for each other, and we need to keep that going.

“We are trying to improve and not relax. That is what the manager is trying to get us to do.”

Only Sergio Aguero has scored more Premier League goals for City this season than Sterling, and he added: “That’s something I need to keep doing.

“What is going to make me the player I want to be is scoring more goals, being cool in front of goal and scoring as many as I can.

“The manager has told me to enjoy scoring goals and seeing the ball go into the back of the net. The manager gives everyone the confidence, the belief and the motivation to achieve. It has been fantastic.”