Raheem Sterling hopes the arrival of Jack Grealish at Manchester City will help him increase his goal tally.
The 26-year-old is looking forward to linking up with England team-mate Grealish at club level following the former Aston Villa captain’s British record £100million switch to the Etihad Stadium.
Sterling netted just 14 times in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side last season – 17 less than the 2019-20 campaign – but, playing alongside Grealish, he is looking for more this time.
Grealish made his City debut in the Community Shield last week (Nick Potts/PA)
“They have signed a great player and someone that wants to prove himself at the highest level,” said Sterling. “I don’t think there is any better club for him to try and do that.
“He is a player that always wants the ball, he gets in good pockets of space and he is creative.
“It adds another creative player to this team which I am really excited about so hopefully he can add a few more goals to my tally.
“When you add good players to your team it is always a good thing. He is a player I believe can truly have a great career here.”
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Sterling hopes to get back to his best in the coming season (Adam Davy/PA)
Sterling’s form fell away last season but he was one of England’s stand-out performers during their run to the final of Euro 2020 in the summer.
Having had a break since, he now feels refreshed and ready for the new Premier League campaign.
Sterling said: “It is great to be back. The first few days are a bit rusty, but it is great to be back. I had a great summer holiday for a week or so, and now I am raring to get back to training.
“It is exciting and it is a season that I am really looking forward to. I have got all my energy and attention to focus on going into the season and I am really looking forward to it to be honest.”
City and Sterling are bidding for a fourth title in five years this season (Peter Powell/PA)
Champions City begin their title defence at Tottenham on Sunday.
Sterling said: “We have enjoyed (being champions), but it is finished, it is done. The last season is over and done with, so we are not going to get the trophy again this year by looking back at last season.
“We know what we have to do, we have to come out fast in the league and just play our football, that is the most important thing.”
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