Since the news of the European ban broke, Manchester City players have been constantly linked with moves away – Raheem Sterling included. The England star has been most notably linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, but today said he is “happy” with City.
Despite those comments, Sterling didn’t exactly close the door on a potential move to Real Madrid in the future. He was full of praise for Zinedine Zidane and his team, leaving punters wondering if he might be looking to keep his options open should the European ban be enforced.
What did Sterling say?
“Right now I’m at City and I’m really happy. But I say Real Madrid are a fantastic club,” Sterling told a Spanish outlet.
“When you see the white shirt you know exactly what the club stands for, it’s massive.
“But at the same time, I have a contract with City now and I have to respect this. But it’s a fantastic club.
“I think to win the Champions League so many times especially in a row as well is very difficult. I don’t think that’s luck, it’s definitely a formula. Some people have that winning mentality and he wins by any means.
“I’d say it’s something he has probably developed over his great career as a player and he’s developing his career as a manager so it continues this winning touch.”
Seems as though he may be keeping options open…
To me, it does sound as though he’s buttering Real Madrid up a little bit so that if things to go awry in Manchester and the European ban is upheld and does end up becoming a reality, he will have an exit strategy.
Now that the English footballing authorities are looking into the whole Manchester City financial situation too, there’s been plenty of speculation as to what domestic punishments could be enforced.
Some of the tabloid reports have speculated that City could be demoted to the League 2, the fourth tier of English football. Others have suggested City will be docked points this season while some even suggested they could be stripped of their 2013/14 Premier League crown.
If any of those things were to happen, or at least the ones that would impact the current team, surely you’ll see something of an exodus at the club. Personally, I don’t think the FA will demote City to the fourth tier because they told a few fibs on their expenses sheets but still, with English football you just never know.
In fairness to him, Sterling has spent his entire professional career in the north west so it would make sense for him to stick around at City. But if you can honestly tell me a massive offer from Real Madrid wouldn’t at least tempt not only him, but any professional footballer, you might be living on cloud cuckoo land.
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