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Raheem Sterling will thrive off fresh start at Manchester City, says Peter Taylor

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City (R) celebrates a goal during the International Champions Cup match v Roma in Melbourne
Image: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City (R) celebrates a goal during the International Champions Cup match v Roma in Melbourne

Raheem Sterling has been backed to rediscover "unplayable" form when he starts the Premier League season with new club Manchester City .

A £49million move from Liverpool made Sterling the most expensive English player of all time and the pressure is on both him and City boss Manuel Pellegrini to wrestle back the title from Chelsea.

The ex-Liverpool forward has impressed in pre-season, following up a first goal against Roma with a double against Vietnam in Monday's 8-1 friendly win and former England U21 boss Peter Taylor has tipped him to return to his best following a protracted summer move.

Raheem Sterling, Liverpool.
Image: Sterling's last few months at Anfield were surrounded in speculation

Taylor told Sky Sports: “I'm not so sure he dealt with the pressure brilliantly when he was having problems at Liverpool. At the start of the season he was a magnificent player, and he is a magnificent player.

“But towards the end of the season you could see he wasn't taking as many players on, he'd lost a bit of confidence, we were not sure what his role was and it was obvious he had lots of things going on in his head.

“I do hope now it's all happened - and I'm pleased for him it has happened - we will see him perform how he performed at the start of last season, which was unplayable at times.”

Sterling scored 11 times in 52 appearances in all competitions last term, and Taylor believes if he adds more goals to his game at City, the eventual £49m fee will be justified.

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Raheem Sterling marked his debut for Manchester City by scoring against Roma in the International Champions Cup.

“He's so quick, gets past people so easily," Taylor added.

"If he adds goals to that he will be worth every penny.”

Pellegrini has already defended City's outlay, insisting Sterling's speed and versatility will be invaluable.

"Raheem can play in different positions – he can play as a forward because he has a lot of speed or he can play also on the wing," Pellegrini said.

"The price is so difficult to see – it depends on the performance of the player in the next years. Every time you need a player the price is very high – not just for City, but for every team.

"The price is not the most important thing – the most important thing is to choose the player you need.”

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