Sterling validated a theory that many Man City supporters would have anticipated to be true.
During Manchester City training, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling were captured on camera.
Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva during Manchester City practice Pep Guardiola ought to have taken Raheem Sterling's remarks on Thursday as a clear warning.
During his tenure in Manchester, Sterling was able to win almost everything; the Champions League was the one thing that eluded him. It was a little difficult to comprehend from the outside why he would transfer to Chelsea this summer.
Guardiola has created a team at City that is capable of consistently contending for the Premier League, and as a result, there is consistency. Chelsea, on the other hand, are stable, but in the wrong ways.
The Blues, who easily won third place, currently appear to be in a strange spot, unable to overtake City and Liverpool but yet certain of finishing in the top four. Even though these issues are not nearly as serious as those at some other clubs, Sterling may find Stamford Bridge to be more alluring than the Etihad in one particular area: playing time.
In a press conference yesterday, the England player confirmed this, telling the assembled journalists: "Since I was 17, I've been a consistent starter, so when I reached the height of my career, I wouldn't tolerate not playing frequently. My natural tendency is to struggle and try to alter the situation, but it didn't work out and that was that."
The fruitful partnership between City and the England international came to a fairly devastating end as a result. Guardiola's concern for now, though, may be the ripple effect of Sterling's remarks, especially in light of Bernardo Silva.
In both the Premier League and the Champions League last year, Bernardo played just four games more than Sterling. On the first day, when Guardiola started Ilkay Gundogan at the London Stadium against West Ham, the Portuguese star also came off the bench to play.
You practically have to acknowledge that you won't be a "regular starter" when you join with City. Currently, only Ederson can take comfort in knowing that he will play every week when it counts. Both Kevin de Bruyne and Ruben Dias (when healthy) come close to it.
But due to the caliber of City's team and Guardiola's leadership, this rotational strategy won't alter. It is a significant factor in how the Blues have maintained their long-term success.
But will Bernardo be content on a personal level regardless of the team's success? He has undoubtedly stated in the media that the club "knows what he wants" and that he would be "very pleased" to stay, but how can he refuse a team like Barcelona when they provide regular football?
Bernardo, who is 28 and well into his prime, will have probably questioned Guardiola about his playing time. Unfortunately for the City manager, it is unlikely that he could have provided a response that would have completely placated Bernardo, just as he was unable to do with Sterling.
Even with Barca's current issues, Bernardo might find it difficult to refuse a transfer closer to home and the prospect of playing regularly. Unfortunately for Guardiola and City, he might not be able to stop it.
blogpay
