In the end, Raheem Sterling was granted his wish. In the same week the England international floated the possibility of leaving Man City amid a lack of game time, Pep Guardiola handed him a start against Burnley.
Although not overtly, Guardiola will have viewed this game as one in which his team could fill their pockets. City had netted 27 goals in their last six games against the Clarets, winning 5-0 in each of their last four meetings at the Etihad Stadium.
Those statistics meant it was an opportunity for many to impress. John Stones came back into the side for his first start to the season, but the biggest storyline was Sterling’s inclusion as a centre forward.
Phil Foden seemed the natural replacement for Ferran Torres - the Spain international is set to miss two to three months with an injury - given his ability to operate in tight areas inside the penalty box. As a consequence, it seemed a huge leap of faith from Guardiola to start with the Englishman in the forward line.
That trust was not repaid.
