Raheem Sterling admits he has been in a much happier position at Manchester City in recent months but has refused to be drawn into whether he will sign a new contract.
Sterling’s contract with City expires next summer, and he said last year he was determined to leave if he did not get more playing time. Since then, however, he regained his place in the team and returned to form, becoming a key player as City chased the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
Speaking ahead of the City Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday, Sterling was asked if he had any further updates on his contract negotiations or future plans, but the England international has refused to give up in any way.
“At the moment I’m still happy to play, I’m happy to have a hand in the team,” he said, referring to the decision taken at the end of the season.
“I think that’s the most important thing. At the moment, I think it would be selfish for me to talk about any contract situation and be happy to play football and see where we are at the end of the season.”
Sterling also commented on his City status, saying he was happy to have contributed to important goals and assistants.
“As a player and forward, playing and scoring and making assistants, contributing to the team is a big thing,” he said.
“This is where you gain confidence and at the moment I am happy to be part of the team and try to contribute as much as possible.
I play and contribute a lot to the team this season. And yes, even good air, good air. The soccer team is in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the title. There is not much I can ask for. So yes, great air.
“Like anything, if you play your first paid game, then move on to the next, to score your first goal, and then after scoring your first goal, as a person you should always try to do better and so do I. Every season. I try to see how I can improve and all this in the future I was trying to see if I could get an England record [of Champions League goals] and that’s what I would try to do. ”
With a lot of competition for City’s attacking positions, Sterling then admitted that playing time was not guaranteed under Pep Guardiola.
He said: “It’s a team full of competition. It’s the competition that makes you progress and when you play you just want to keep playing when you score, they can help you, win the game or whatever. I want to keep playing and sometimes you have to understand that there are many players in the team.”
