Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says he expects club record signing Raheem Sterling to shine on his home debut against reigning Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
The England international winger, who joined the Etihad Stadium outfit for a fee that could rise to £49millon from league rivals Liverpool earlier in the summer [via BBC Sport], made his first appearance for his new club against West Brom last Monday.
Sterling wasn’t able to mark his debut with a goal as he wasted a good chance in the first-half at the Hawthorns, but did show enough to suggest he will be a welcome addition to the City squad and he is likely to be handed a start against the West London outfit.
The winger was linked with a £40million move to Stamford Bridge in the summer before joining last season’s league runners-up [via Sky Sports] and Pellegrini has backed his new signing to justify his hefty price-tag starting against the Blues:
“Sterling will be a very dangerous player,” the Chilean boss stressed [via Telegraph Sport].
“Maybe we were criticised for the amount we paid for him but I am sure he will demonstrate during the year, especially against the big teams, why he was valued so much.”
“Last year he scored 11 in all competitions. I am sure this season he will improve,” Pellegrini added.
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