Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has lifted the lid on a training ground clip of Pep Guardiola vigorously coaching him close control in pre-season which went viral.
Sterling, 23, has transformed his game this season at City, scoring 13 goals in all competitions for the Premier League leaders, and many believe Guardiola’s influence on the training field has been behind the winger’s barnstorming form.
A video of the duo – shot before the 2017/18 campaign – exploded on social media last month showing Guardiola getting physical with the England forward.
Asked about the clip, Sterling explained to Soccer AM: ‘He was basically telling me that, because I control the ball with the outside of my foot a lot, if I control it with an open body then I’m directly at the defender.
‘It takes less time. And he was saying: “that could be a crucial part of the game for you – get that touch out of your feet instead of having it so close to your feet.”
Sterling believes it’s the ‘simple’ tweaks to players’ games which makes Guardiola one of the finest coaches in European football.
He continued: ‘Normally when I control it I want it right by my foot to then move left or right. He was saying that if you get it out of your feet, then you’re running directly at the defender.
‘One of the best things about him is that simple stuff that you might not pick up on yourself.
‘He watches over and gives you an idea of what you can do better.’
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