SOMETIMES, even the great Pep Guardiola can dish out a rollicking.
Raheem Sterling has been on the end of one, a reminder that standards are sky high under Manchester City’s super-coach.
It was delivered in the dressing room at Crystal Palace on December 31, when Sterling had given the ball away too many times after coming on as a 57th-minute substitute.
The England winger will never forget it.
He feared his City career was coming to a juddering halt and, with it, his World Cup chances.
Sterling said: “He lets you know when he’s not happy with you.
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“I lost the ball three times, I did not think I was going to play until the end of the season because he killed me in the dressing room after.
“A manager like that brings the best out of you.
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“He makes sure to tell you when you’re in the wrong.”
England are benefiting from Guardiola’s brilliance.
Sterling was easily the best player on the pitch during the 1-0 win over Holland on Friday night.
The City flier has toughened up and is much harder to knock off the ball now.
His decision-making has improved, maturing into an integral player for club and country.
Sterling, 23, added: “I’ve always been a beast — I’m joking.
“I haven’t done much in the gym since I moved to City, I’ve probably been filling out a bit more. I’m not a big fan of the gym. It’s more natural.
“Before I was more raw and when I got the ball I wanted to take someone on, to beat someone, but now I am trying to pick my moments.
“I try to get in the box as much as I can. That’s mainly where I am now.”
He is a natural on the ball, full of confidence after scoring 20 times during City’s march towards the Premier League title.
England could do with some of that. Sterling’s last goal for his country was in October 2015, when he hit the target from close range in a 2-0 victory over Estonia at Wembley.
In fact, he has only scored twice in 36 games for the Three Lions — his other goal also coming in 2015 against Lithuania.
ALL WE NEED IS LOVE
RAHEEM STERLING has urged England fans to “give love” and cut out the negativity.
The Manchester City star was battered by Three Lions fans at Euro 2016 — there was even an internet hate campaign to bring him home early from the tournament.
Ahead of winning his 37th cap against Italy tonight, Sterling told BBC Radio 5 live: “I feel sometimes there is too much negativity.
“I’d love to hear some positive notes coming in, just to let the boys know everyone is behind them. Make the boys go off to the World Cup with a clear head knowing everyone is behind them and, trust me, you would see a better England.
“If we get behind those players, give them love, you wouldn’t know how much that would boost their confidence.
“It’s disappointing when you put on a shirt and get negative feedback but it’s what the fans want — to see you perform well.”
To play in England’s front three, to be in such an influential position on the pitch, Sterling must start to deliver in front of goal.
He added: “I think it is because the gaffer, Gareth Southgate, takes me off early! It is a different environment.
“I should be scoring a lot more for England and I put a lot of pressure on myself.
“I have done that at my club, I wasn’t scoring a lot of goals there as well, but I’ve turned that around.
“It is the same with England. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well and score more. And it will be a matter of time.
“Once I get back into that rhythm, balls start to drop. I do have that feeling that it is going to come soon.”
Still, he has other qualities.
The City star was substituted on Friday, with Southgate making a point of speaking to Sterling as he walked off the pitch.
England’s head coach wanted him to know that he had done nothing wrong, that his legs were being saved for Italy tonight.
Sterling added: “It was reassuring. Obviously I wanted to finish the game, some of my goals even when I was at Liverpool came late into games.
“I’m always thinking I am going to get a chance soon but I was more happy we played a good game.”
Sterling is still learning, mastering his art during his second season under Guardiola.
The fierce competition for places has also helped, with Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne jostling for position in that City forward line.
Sterling added: “When I feel under threat or under pressure, that brings the best out of me.
“Sometimes people think I might not be in the squad and I think, ‘OK then, cool, we’ll see about that’.
“Stuff like that just brings the best out of me.”
If that does not work, Pep is always there to remind him what it takes to reach the very top.
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