Arsenal and Spurs fighting to sign 61 cap England star

Pep Guardiola threw caution to the wind against Chelsea, unfortunately he did not realise a blue hurricane was coming his way. 

The Manchester City manager sacrificed lynchpins Rodri and Fernandinho to fit in another attacking midfielder and another winger.

It did not work; all of City’s technical beauty, elegance and grace was no match for the assertive, midfield tornado of N’Golo Kante.

City midfield starlet Phil Foden had been exceptional operating on the left hand side for City, but he was dropped into the midfield for Raheem Sterling to come in on the left wing.

While the ball was primarily under the stewardship of sky blue City shirts, Thomas Tuchel’s side were the ones in control; stewarding City into tight positions and affording them no space in behind once they were ahead.

Fernandinho was brought on to try and get a fist of the contest but it was all too late – the Champions League eluded the Citizens once more.

It is reported Guardiola wants to refresh his side in the attacking areas, but will likely need to sell first and, according to The Sun, Sterling could be one of the stars to depart the Etihad.

Sterling will be looking to add to his 13 England goals in the Euros.

Sterling became the most expensive English football player in history when Manuel Pellegrini brought him to the Etihad from Liverpool for £49 million.

It was a move which raised eyebrows at the time, however, he has been one of City’s most instrumental players in their history, winning three Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup.

It is believed Arsenal and Spurs are the clubs who are most interested in signing the 26-year-old England star who will be participating in his fourth major tournament this summer.

Arsenal are currently leading the race according to sources; however, conflicting reports have also suggested Sterling could be used as bait alongside Gabriel Jesus as City are reportedly desperate to sign Harry Kane from Spurs.

Foden’s emergence has resulted in Sterling falling down the City pecking order, and with the club desperate to sign a striker like Kane, he could be sacrificed.