Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling says he is enjoying the “freedom” he is being afforded under Pep Guardiola this season.
Sterling felt that he lost his “identity” under former City boss Manuel Pellegrini and has been rejuvenated this campaign __with the Spaniard at the helm.
Sterling could only manage six goals in his first season at the Etihad Stadium and was criticised for not showing the kind of form that persuaded City to part __with a reported £49million to sign him from Liverpool.
However, in ten Premier League appearances this season Sterling has contributed four goals and two assists.
.@aguerosergiokun, @LucyBronze or @FPaolo10? Who gets your vote for @Nissan Goal of the Month? #mcfc pic.twitter.com/IXCwIjbL7e
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 1, 2016
“I’m enjoying it. I feel a lot more freedom, I feel I can get on the ball a bit more and I feel like I express myself by taking touches and trying to take players on,” Sterling told BBC Sport.
“Under the previous coach I think it was, not to say anything negative, but in training it was always two touches and you kind of just get into that way of playing and you forget your identity and how to play.
“That’s not my style of play. My style of play is to get the ball and try to go at players and now I’m learning to mix it up as well and not just every single time go down a blind alley, and know when to take two touches and when to take my man on.”