Sterling admits to having 'very weird' season amid reduced Man City role

Once one of the first names in their starting XI, the England international has been in and out of the Sky Blues line-up this term.

Raheem Sterling admits he has had a “very weird” season with having to adjust to being a substitute at Manchester City.

Sterling’s minutes on the pitch have been dialed down by Pep Guardiola this season with the manager having to rotate his squad more often than usual due to a hectic football calendar in times of global pandemic.

Only thrice has the English attacker started in the Champions League for City while he has been left out completely in five of their 32 Premier League games so far.

The pacy winger’s output has also diminished. He scored 31 goals in total last term but has found the net only 13 times as 2020-21 nears its conclusion.

“Don’t get me wrong, this season for me personally has been a very weird one,” Sterling told Rio Ferdinand for BT Sport.

“But nevertheless I’m still enjoying my football and giving my all to the team. If I don’t score or do something to help the team I’m not happy coming off the field.

“Of course I am happy we’ve won but at the same time I think that’s what helps me to get these goals is to be that driven and it’s the perfect time in the season now.”