MANCHESTER, England -- Raheem Sterling says he couldn't care less what his critics think and insists he is only interested in improving for Manchester City.
The 21-year-old was heavily criticised for his performances last season and then again this summer as England crashed out of the European Championship in the last-16 to Iceland.
He became a target for social media abuse with some England fans even petitioning for him to be sent home early from France.
It followed on from a difficult second half of the season at the Etihad, where he fell down the pecking order under previous boss Manuel Pellegrini after his acrimonious £44 million move from Liverpool in the summer.
Sterling said on Monday that he feels that some of the criticism aimed at him was unfair, but he has decided to ignore it and concentrate on his game.
"I block that out and simply play football,' he told a news conference. "That's it. I never listen to that.
"Before, every time you take a stroll, you'd be on your phone, on your app, being nosy to see what people are saying when you see your name.
"I got a lot of criticism last year which I thought was a bit unfair, because I equalled my best scoring total [11 goals], and for me it was a massive learning step."
Sterling has looked rejuvenated under Pep Guardiola and the new City boss gave him a confidence when he gave him a phone call during his difficult period at Euro 2016.
He has started the season in fine form and even picked up the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.
"Pep coming in was a massive help, and for him to be on the phone to me before I even met him was a massive boost," Sterling said.
"He said he always liked my football and watched me at Liverpool. To hear stuff like that made me go away and think and come back and work harder than ever.
"He just makes it simple and tells you how it is, exactly what he wants from you, where he wants you on the pitch.
"The rest is down to you. There is not a much better feeling for a player than that -- to make the game simple.
"To have someone like that, who has done it at the highest level, is a great bonus."