City’s new £49 million signing Raheem Sterling has been full of praise for Blues playmaker David Silva in an interview with David Clayton.
Sterling has settled in quickly at City after joining up with the City squad during pre-season, scoring three goals in four games, including a debut goal after just 137 seconds.
New boy Sterling has been training with the City first team this week in preparation for the season opener away to West Brom on Monday night, and he is already convinced by Silva’s unique talent.
“He’s someone I’ve been really looking forward to playing alongside. He’s a player who, when he gets into the final third, his final pass can be deadly.”
The Spaniard, who is a World Cup and European Championship winner, excelled last season in the Premier League for City as he netted 12 times, more than his 2012/13 and 2013/14 season combined (11).
Sterling added: “He’s on a different planet, really. I’m really looking forward to linking up with him this season and with all the other attacking lads we have as well – but yeah, David is world-class.”
With Sterling’s league debut likely to come at The Hawthorns on Monday night, he looks ahead to what the Blues might come up against when they face Tony Pulis’ men.
He said: “We’ve got to go there from the off and try to play the sort of football the manager wants us to play and if we do that, we know we can win the game, but they’re a good side and won’t make it easy.”
City reaped the rewards last season at the The Hawthorns due to a scintillating first half display, the Blues ending the match 3-1 winners, including a Fernando overhead kick.
“West Brom is always a difficult place to go,” said Sterling. “I think they will sit in and try to nick a 1-0 win because that’s how they tend to play against teams who go there to attack.
“That was the case when I was at Liverpool and I don’t think it will be any different when we go to The Hawthorns. I think they will try to hold the game up as long as they can and then try to nick a goal at some stage.
Sergio Aguero is another player that whom Sterling could team up with this Monday and City’s signing cannot wait to play alongside side him in the City attack.
“I’ve only just started training with Sergio in the past few days or so but I’m really excited about linking up with him,” said Sterling.
Aguero recently rejoined the first team after an extended summer break following his involvement in the 2015 Copa America, losing in the final on penalties to Chile.
“With the world-class players we have here, we are capable of winning things year in, year out. The more quality players that are around you, the more quality it brings out in you so I can wait to get started because it can only improve my game as well.”
