Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is delighted with the responsiveness of Raheem Sterling.

The 25-year-old puts his improvement down to belief in himself as well as the hard graft he puts in and Guardiola suggested that along with assistant coach Mikel Arteta he speaks with many players but does not always get the same reaction.

“He's a better player but it's all his credit, desire to be better," said Guardiola. "Every player is good when understanding what we want to do as a group, and after his desire to be better and to improve his skills – I think he has an incredible reception to our talks, like when Mikel or myself talk with him.

"That's nice when they don't get that feeling like: 'oh why is he always pushing or criticising me.'

"That how he improved, he's open, from the day when we arrive more than three seasons ago and that's why he is becoming one incredible exceptional player. After that his physicality."