Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling has backed £100 million ($138.5m) new boy Jack Grealish to supply him with a goals boost in the coming season.
The England teammates will now be working together on the club front after City forked out a British record fee to sign the talented playmaker from Aston Villa.
Sterling, 26, managed 14 goals in all competitions last season which was 17 less than the previous campaign.
But he has just enjoyed an impressive Euro 2020 will England where his three strikes helped Gareth Southgate's side reach the final, where they were beaten by Italy on penalties.
Now Sterling will again be lining-up with Grealish, 25, as City look to defend their Premier League title crown.
“They have signed a great player and someone that wants to prove himself at the highest level,” said Sterling. “I don’t think there is any better club for him to try and do that.
“I met him at Villa, but during the international period it was the first time I was really around him for a long period of time.
“He is a player that always wants the ball, he gets in good pockets of space and he is creative.
“It adds another creative player to this team which I am really excited about so hopefully he can add a few more goals to my tally.
“When you add good players to your team it is always a good thing. He is a player I believe can truly have a great career here.”
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MANCHESTER CITY 2020/21 RATINGS: Pep Guardiola 8.5 - After his worst start to a season as manager, 2020/21 ended up being one of the finest of the Catalan's trophy-laden career. Guided City on an incredible 21-win streak, retained the League Cup for a fourth-straight season and wrestled back the Premier League trophy from Liverpool. Guided City to a first Champions League final, but got his team selection against Chelsea badly wrong. -
GOALKEEPERS: Ederson 8 - As a last line of defence, few inspire as much confidence. As the first point of attack, fewer are as comfortable passing the ball as the Brazilian. -
Zack Steffen 7 - Took his chances in various cup competitions well. The American pulled off a superb save in the League Cup final to deny Giovani Lo Celso. -
DEFENDERS: Kyle Walker 8 - His power and aggression shows no signs of waning. City's right-back is still a formidable force. EPA -
Ruben Dias 9 - The Portuguese is undoubtedly the signing of the season after joining last summer from Benfica. Has brought a calm and assuredness long missing from City's backline. Named both the club's and FWA Player of the Season. Has improved John Stones as a player, too. Reuters -
John Stones 8 - The writing looked to be on the wall for Stones with Dias signing at the start of 2020/21. But the Englishman has been a colossus for City this term, so much so that Aymeric Laporte has been relegated to back-up. -
Nathan Ake 5 - The Dutchman signed for a reported £41 million from Bournemouth has failed to make an impression during his first season at the Etihad. A centre-back and left-back position was up for grabs at the start of the campaign but others have often been preferred ahead of the former Bournemouth defender. -
Aymeric Laporte 7 - The Frenchman has largely had a watching brief as Dias and Stones formed an impregnable partnership. His headed winner against Tottenham ensured City retained the League Cup for an unprecedented fourth year in a row. AFP -
Benjamin Mendy 6 - The Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order at City and looks a shadow of the rampaging full-back from a few seasons ago. -
Joao Cancelo 8 - Did not look comfortable when asked to operate at left-back in the opening game but the young Portuguese has improved immensely and is also one of City's most potent attacking weapons. Badly missed in the Champions League final. Reuters -
Eric Garcia 4 - Has found first-team opportunities hard to come by and looks on the verge of ending his three-year stay in Manchester. -
MIDFIELDERS: Ilkay Gundogan 9 - Mr Reliable became Mr Spectacular in 2020/21 with some dazzling displays, particularly at the turn of the year in the absence of Kevin de Bruyne. A haul of 12 Premier League goals is impressive and a testament to Guardiola's faith in playing without a recognised No 9. -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 6 - Used sparingly by Guardiola but a tidy operator with the ball. Was outstanding against PSG in the Champions League semi-final second leg. At fault for Kai Havertz's winner in the Champions League final defeat, though. -
Rodri 9 - It's hard to believe the Spain international is still only 24. Commands the middle of the pitch like a gnarled veteran and his omission from the team in Porto against Chelsea raised eyebrows. -
Kevin De Bruyne 9 - The Belgian is quite simply the best passer with either foot in the division. Once again the creative fulcrum in City's march to a fifth Premier League title in nine years. Season ended in heartbreak when he was forced off injured in the Champions League final defeat to Chelsea. -
Bernardo Silva 7 - The Portuguese has failed to match the highs of the previous two seasons but is a workhorse who Guardiola always turns to in big games. -
Fernandinho 7 - the Brazilian picked up a record sixth League Cup winner's medal and his form in the run-in had many banking him for a starting place in the Champions League final. His introduction after an hour showed Guardila got his selection all wrong. AFP -
Riyad Mahrez 9 - If there is a player with a better first touch in the Premier League he is being well hidden. The Algerian's goals have propelled City in their quest for for three trophies, including a brace against PSG that took them to a first Champions League final. -
Phil Foden 9 - The 20-year-old has enjoyed a sensational season to the point that David Silva's departure has barely been noticed. Has a bright future ahead at the Eithad. -
FORWARDS: Raheem Sterling 6 - Has suffered a crisis of confidence, according to his manager, but has still played a huge part in City's success. Anonymous in the Champions League final and substituted midway through the second half despite City needing a goal. -
Gabriel Jesus 7 - Has suffered, for lack of a better word, from Guardiola's use of a false 9 but the Brazilian is one of City's hardest-working players. Reuters -
Sergio Aguero 6 - Injuries and recovery from Covid-19 blighted the Argentine striker's final season at City. The club's record scorer signed off a decade at the club with two Premier League goals on the final day of the season. Will be remembered as one of the league's best ever. -
Ferran Torres 7 - Has adapted well to the demands of the Premier League but looks far more comfortable in a wide position than as a false 9.
Sterling has only been able to enjoy a short break after his European Championship exploits but feels refreshed and fighting fit for the new season.
“It is great to be back,” he said. “The first few days are a bit rusty, but it is great to be back. I had a great summer holiday for a week or so, and now I am raring to get back to training.
“I have got all my energy and attention to focus on going into the season and I am really looking forward to it to be honest.”
Champions City begin their title defence with the game of the weekend at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, whose own star striker — England captain Harry Kane — has been linked with a move to join Sterling and Grealish at the Etihad Stadium.
Sterling said: “We have enjoyed [being champions], but it is finished, it is done. The last season is over and done with, so we are not going to get the trophy again this year by looking back at last season.
“We have done it before, we have won it two years on the bounce. It is something that we are capable of.
“I think it comes from the club, the manager and the mindset he has installed. That winning mentality, once you get a taste of it, you want it even more.
“We know what we have to do, we have to come out fast in the league and just play our football, that is the most important thing.”
