Pellegrini: More to come from Sterling

Posted Monday, October 19, 2015 by Foxsports.com

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes Raheem Sterling will continue to improve after his hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of Bournemouth on Saturday.

Sterling's three-goal haul in the first half at the Etihad Stadium set up a comfortable victory for the Citizens to maintain their two-point lead over the chasing pack at the Premier League summit.

The England international took his tally for his new club to five goals this season, and Pellegrini has told City fans to expect many more from the former Liverpool winger as he gets fully accustomed to his new surroundings.

"I think it was important for Raheem to score three goals," the Chilean said on the club's official website after the match.

"He must improve his finishing – he did that today, he's young and will continue to get better.

"I don't think he's a striker like Kun or Bony but this year, and I said it when he arrived, I am sure he will score more goals than he did in another season at Liverpool."

Sterling was substituted at half-time in the 6-1 trashing of Newcastle before the international break, but that hardly dented his confidence as the 20-year-old excelled in partnership with Wilfried Bony up front against the Cherries.

Pellegrini added: "He didn't lose confidence because I spoke with him immediately after he came off. He didn't play well but all of the players can have a bad day.

"It was important for him and the team to change his position today. I thought that near Bony he could have a lot of space.

"Kevin [De Bruyne] did very well as he did against Newcastle and I think the system allowed Raheem to score more goals."