PEP GUARDIOLA had a heart-to-heart with Raheem Sterling after his England problems last week.
The Manchester City midfielder was axed from the squad for the qualifier against Montenegro following a bust up with Liverpool’s Joe Gomez.
Pep Guardiola has a close relationship with his star man SterlingCredit: Reuters
SunSport understands Guardiola sent the winger a text of encouragement just to check he was OK after initially being exiled by Gareth Southgate, before being recalled.
He also reminded Sterling to ‘do his talking on the pitch.’
Sterling featured in the game in Kosovo and has been back training at the CFA this week ahead of the game against Chelsea.
Asked how Sterling had been since his return, Guardiola said: “He’s good. I spoke with him and he’s fine.
“He said Gomez is an excellent guy, they have a good relationship, it sometimes happens.”
Meanwhile Guardiola leapt to the defence of another of his stars – Bernardo Silva – who will miss tomorrow’s clash with Chelsea due to suspension.
The Portuguese was handed a one match ban by the FA for a controversial tweet about his team-mate Benjamin Mendy.
Guardiola said: “In that situation, the less important thing is that we are going to miss him.
“He’s been accused of something he’s not. If they want to pick up someone to show something it was the right person.
“He will be careful with social media but if this can help make a better society then Bernardo will accept it.
“But he’s not what he’s accused of.”
Inside Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez’s England canteen chaos with food flying, headlock bust-up and ‘big man’ jibes
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
