Pellegrini backs Sterling for improvement at City

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes Raheem Sterling will justify his hefty price tag and improve on his goalscoring return for the Premier League contenders.

City prised Sterling to Manchester from Liverpool in a deal believed to be rising to £49million last month - making him the most expensive English player in history and the club's record signing.

Sterling produced an assured performance on debut as City defeated West Brom 3-0 in their Premier League opener on Monday, having two good opportunities to open his account at The Hawthorns.

The 20-year-old England international will undoubtedly face a greater challenge on Sunday against defending champions Chelsea, who were reportedly interested in Sterling before City completed the deal.

And Pellegrini has backed Sterling to repay the faith and transfer fee, after scoring just seven goals in 35 Premier League appearances for the Reds last term.

"It is always important for young players to play with good players. You can improve, the same way Sterling did with Luis Suarez or Steven Gerrard for Liverpool," said Pellegrini.

"Here he will play with David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure - players that will make him improve in a lot of ways. Young players always learn from important players.

"Sterling will be a very dangerous player. Maybe we were criticised for the amount we paid for him but I am sure he will demonstrate during the year, especially against the big teams, why he was valued so much.

"Last year he scored 11 in all competitions. I am sure this season he will improve."

Raheem Sterling denies Liverpool sickie

Raheem Sterling has denied calling in sick for Liverpool training before his move to Manchester City.

Sterling, 20, last week completed a switch to the Etihad Stadium for a fee which could reportedly rise to £49million after an acrimonious departure from the Merseyside club.

The England international missed two days of training in his final week at the club, with suggestions he was trying to influence transfer talks.

But Sterling said it was a genuine illness – and the Liverpool doctor – that prevented him from training.

"Everyone thought I threw a sick note in. I was in training on the Tuesday - in the changing room my stomach started hurting. I still went out and trained though," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"That day I went home, and I told the doc I was ill. My stomach was rumbling and I had diarrhoea.

"The doctor just said to me you can't be around the other players. For the next 48 hours, I stayed at home.

"That's what the club doctor told me to do. When that 48 hours was done I came back to training as normal."

Real Madrid in pursuit for Raheem Sterling

According to reports: European champions Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Liverpool superstar Raheem Sterling ahead of a potential summer move for the winger.

Sterling has so far refused to commit his long-term future to the Reds and fears are rising that he may look for an exit route from Anfield. The England international turned down a mammoth £100,00-a-week contract from Brendan Rodgers’ side and his reluctance to pen a new deal has seen the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal linked with a move for the 20-year-old.

According to the Daily Mail, Real Madrid are ready to register an interest in Sterling, with club legend Zinedine Zidane admitting that Los Blancos are showing an interest in a number of high-profile youngsters to bolster their squad.

Madrid will likely have to fork out £50million should they wish to make their interest in the forward concrete, but any potential transfer bid could spark a bidding war with a number of Premier League clubs.