Manchester City hero Pablo Zabaleta does not think that Raheem Sterling will be remembered as a club legend, and has warned the star not to burn his bridges with City following his £47.5m move to Chelsea.
After a season of speculation surrounding Sterling's future — during which he asked for a move in the January window — the 27-year-old last week completed a move to City's Premier League rivals Chelsea. The England star enjoyed an extraordinary period of success at the Etihad Stadium, helping City to win four Premier League titles, five League Cups, one FA Cup and reach the Champions League final for the first time.
From 2017 to 2019 Sterling was arguably one of the best players in the world, as he formed a deadly attacking trio along with Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane. However, speaking to Football Daily while on City's pre-season tour of the US as a club ambassador, Zabaleta said he doesn't quite thing Sterling reached legendary status.
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"For me, when I say legend, for me Aguero, [David] Silva, [Vincent] Kompany, those guys are on a different level, that's why they have statues outside the club."
Zabaleta — who earned cult hero status among City fans for his ultra-committed style — also warned his former teammate not to forget everything that that City did for him, now that he has joined a direct rival.
He added: "I wish him all the best, he's a great lad, but Man City is always the most important thing for the fans and the players.
"When you come to this club you have to give 100 percent, and the moment you leave you always need to talk nicely to the club that you've been playing for so I wish he could behave in that way."
The last line might be a case of lost in translation from Zabaleta, as there is no evidence of Sterling speaking badly about City since he joined Chelsea.
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