Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has told a packed media conference that £49m signing Raheem Sterling is likely to see some action in tomorrow night’s International Champions Cup match against AS Roma.
City completed the deal for Sterling from Liverpool late last week, with the English international linking up with the team on the Gold Coast for the end of the club’s training camp.
“We have worked with him [Sterling] for a few days, he will play some minutes,” he said.
“It’s important for him to have minutes with the team ahead of the start of the season.
“He is a brilliant player with lots of ambition and that to me is very important.”
Sterling departed Merseyside on what he described as “disappointing” terms during an interview with Fox Sports on Saturday night, and cited City’s direction as the main motivation behind his move.
Yaya Toure gets a typical welcome! #ICCMELB https://t.co/DASsi4BMCO
— Outside90 (@Outside90) July 20, 2015
Pellegrini also dismissed rumours of a move for Real Madrid defender and refused to name names of any other potential signings following the captures of Sterling and Fabian Delph.
“I don’t talk about rumours, about names. We know the players that we want. For the moment we just have [Fabian] Delph, [Raheem] Sterling and Patrick Roberts,” he said.
“I don’t talk about names or rumours & positions – you’ll just have to see who arrives here. Our aim is to have a strong squad.”
Meanwhile, Pellegrini shared the same doubt about the MCG surface as Real Madrid counterpart Rafa Benitez, as City and AS Roma’s training sessions were both moved from the ground to alternative venues.
“I am concerned about the pitch, they already played a game [Roma v Real Madrid] and tomorrow we play so that is the reason why we changed facilities. I hope the pitch will be in normal condition tomorrow night,” he said.
Manuel catches up with the new @realmadrid boss Rafa Benitez before training #cityontour pic.twitter.com/GuBQvZLXOI
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) July 20, 2015
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