Former Liverpool teammate tells Raheem Sterling to consider transfer to Italy
Raheem Sterling played just seven minutes in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
It’s the least amount of time he’s spent on the pitch in a game in Manchester City’s European campaign so far. This comes after only playing eight minutes across last year’s two semi-final legs against PSG, before featuring for 77 minutes against Chelsea in the final.
After an unsteady start to the campaign, Sterling enjoyed a good winter, netting 12 times between November and February. However, the 27-year-old has started just seven of the 14 games City have played since the beginning of March—- something that may concern the England international who is used to being a regular in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up.
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A number of reports have resurfaced, linking him with a move away — with AC Milan among the potential suitors. The Italian giants are currently vying for their first Serie A title since 2010/11.
Sterling may be thinking about his future — he hinted he would consider a move to Spain earlier in the season — and former Liverpool team mate Glen Johnson says if the winger was to move, it has to be away from England or risk taking a backwards step in his career.
He told GGRecon: "You can obviously see why they (AC Milan) want him. If Raheem Sterling goes to any other club in England, it’s going to be a backwards step.
“So to go and try something new in a different league, I think that’d be a lot more appealing to him. Let’s face it, I’m not being rude, but Serie A is an easier league, and someone with his ability could tear that league apart.
“So I definitely think if the option is to leave, where’s he going to go in