The Blues forward has now scored 10 goals in all competitions after he bagged City’s fourth in the 4-2 win over Napoli, meaning Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku are the only Premier League based players to have scored more in all competitions.
Guardiola says Sterling’s enjoyment for the game is the reason behind his impressive goals tally - and the boss backed him to continue improving in the coming years.
“I think he is enjoying scoring goals,” he said. “He isn’t afraid to take a risk.
“He realises how funny it is to score goals, how good it is.
“Mikel Arteta works hard after training to help.
“Raheem knows a striker/winger has to score goals. You won’t survive in a high-level team if you don’t score goals. It is so important for us.
“Mainly, I think he decided he can score goals and he is enjoying to do it.
“He has to improve his final pass - he’s better but he can do better.
“Big, big players decide well in the moment.
“But he is 21 years old. He will get better because he is young and we are there to help him.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola once again took time to congratulate Sergio Aguero on becoming City’s record goalscorer.
The Argentine finished superbly to put City’s 3-2 up in Naples on Wednesday, his 178th goal since he joined the Club in the summer of 2011.
It took him above Eric Brook in the all-time goalscoring chart, something Guardiola believes should be the source of pride for the striker.
“I said many times sooner or later it would happen,” Guardiola said.
“He was focused on winning the game, what he had to do for his teammates, the club.
“He has to be so proud - for what he has done, for his family.”
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