Pep Guardiola says he has no problem with Raheem Sterling posing for a picture with a Real Madrid shirt.
Sterling has created a frenzy by agreeing to be pictured on the cover of Spanish football magazine AS with a Real shirt over one shoulder and a City replica over the other.
The fact that he has given a big interview to a Spanish outlet has raised eyebrows anyway, especially as there is doubt over his future following the Blues' two-year ban from European competition.
In that interview he was asked about the links to the La Liga giants and replied: "How do I answer that one? Is the camera live or is it just taking pictures?
"No one knows what the future will hold. I am a player and I am always open to challenges but right now my challenge is at Manchester City. In the future, hopefully, who knows...
"It’s something that you see all the time, but I’m a City player and I’m enjoying it at the moment, even if things haven’t gone quite planned in the league."
The matter was put to Guadiola at his press conference on Friday and he said he was unconcerned.
"The players are free to talk and say what they think," Guardiola said. "We are not here to tell them what to say."
He added that it was normal for Sterling to do an interview with Spanish media days ahead of a Champions League game against Real.
He added: "I am completely sure about the commitment of our players. They have shown it for many, many years. No one knows what will happen, but right now the commitment for the last three months, every single game, I don't have any doubts."
