Man City warned of ‘downside’ after journalist’s ‘incredible’ Raheem Sterling update – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Man City manager Pep Guardiola could cope without the “incredible” Raheem Sterling and Nathan Ake next season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and Scotland defender said the downside would be if the duo strengthen a Premier League rival in Chelsea.
According to The Telegraph‘s Matt Law (27 June), Chelsea have opened talks with Man City over the potential signings of Sterling, 27 and Ake, 27.
Sterling has just 12 months left on his contract at the Etihad.
Ake’s current deal runs until the end of June 2025.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the latest, Hutton said: “Man City are going to have to try and cash in.
“Everything that I read is Pep wouldn’t stand in the way of Sterling – I think he’s been a great servant to the club. You look at what he’s done over the years, his numbers are incredible.
“The problem there is that it looks like [Gabriel] Jesus is away, Sterling is possibly away. I know they’ve brought in Haaland, they have decent numbers in wide areas when you think of Mahrez, Foden, and Grealish so they’re very strong.
“I think moving forward Pep probably thinks that he can deal without those two, with maybe only bringing one in cause he has got a lot of options there.
“The only downside is you’re selling two quality players to a rival. I do believe Man City are quite far ahead when it comes to Chelsea but you’re still strengthening a rival.“
In other news, Man City are finalising the signing of Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips.