Fan abuse can't rattle Raheem Sterling insists his Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola before rematch with Burnley boo-boys
Get football updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
Pep Guardiola believes Raheem Sterling can handle the Premier League’s hate brigade.
He insists Sterling is strong enough to deal with the taunts of rival supporters ahead of Saturday's return to Burnley for the first top flight game of the weekend.
When he last played at Turf Moor, 15 months ago, Manchester City’s England star was goaded with chants of, “You’ve let your country down” over his role in their Euro 2016 failure.
The abuse appeared to get to Sterling, who was anonymous ­on the day before being forced off injured ­following a tackle by Ben Mee — to the delight of the Clarets fans.
(Image: Getty)
Sterling also seemed cowed when targeted by Liverpool fans at Anfield during last month’s 4-3 ­defeat, and he has yet to play well away to his former club.
But Guardiola rejected any ­suggestion the 23-year-old is not mentally tough enough and pointed to his overall return of 19 goals and six ­assists, which show he is enjoying his best season.
“I don’t remember Burnley last time,” said the City boss. “At Anfield I can understand, he was there [as a Liverpool player] and ­sometimes emotional things come out.
(Image: PA Wire)
“He’s young and I think he’s shown amazing things at ­difficult stages this season, playing at a good level home and away.
“I don’t think he’s a guy who is scared to take responsibility, I think he showed many, many good things this season in those terms.”
Guardiola played down Sterling’s ­disappointing display at Burnley last time.
“No, I don’t think too much about that,” he said. “Burnley away is a complicated game — and every away game is complicated.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now
“But I haven’t considered that. Every player can play not good, it’s not a problem.”
Sterling accepts the abuse from Liverpool fans, but is baffled by the hostility he encounters at other clubs.
“The Liverpool one I understand,” he told talkSPORT. “I’m a player that came through there and they were massive for me. I just felt at the time it was the right thing, they see it ­different.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
“When I go to other grounds, I get booed and I think, ‘Why are you lot getting involved?’ Sometimes you see it as a laugh and I don’t take it seriously.
“Like Cardiff [in the FA Cup last weekend], it’s a bit weird and they’re trying to get me off my game, to think negative. It doesn’t faze me any more.”
Guardiola wants one last effort from his battered and weary players before the rare luxury of three days off.
He has not put any restrictions on what they do with that free time, even though Sergio Aguero broke a rib in a taxi crash after flying to Amsterdam to attend a gig in September.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now
“They can travel, do whatever they want,” he said.
“For three days they have to forget a little about football.
“We need a break. Not just the players, but the staff, the ­physios, everybody. It was a tough, tough period in winter.”