Manchester City has helped Raheem Sterling develop into the ideal No.10 for England, according to former Three Lions midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
The 23-year-old has been a mainstay on the right flank for Man City this season, scoring 16 goals in 27 Premier League matches for the runaway leaders.
But England manager Gareth Southgate played Sterling as an attacking central midfielder during last month's international break, which saw the Three Lions triumph 1-0 over Netherlands and play to a 1-1 draw with Italy.
"For years now, I have bemoaned the lack of English No.10s coming through the ranks," Redknapp wrote in the Daily Mail.
"You look at Spain and the names trip off the tongue: Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Isco, David Silva. There is a conveyor belt of Spanish creative geniuses.
"In Raheem Sterling, however, England may finally have the closest thing to a master manipulator on the ball.
"Sterling starts wide on the right for Manchester City but in England's friendlies last week he was the perfect 10.
"He oozed class as he strolled around the Wembley turf against Italy — linking the play, putting people through, driving England forwards. International football is often tense and cagey but Sterling allowed England to breathe in possession."
Analysing Sterling's evolution, Redknapp gave credit to Guardiola for developing the former Liverpool star into a more consistent player.
"Had Pep Guardiola not come into his life, I do not believe any of this would have happened," Redknapp wrote.
"Last season, Sterling was simply a good player. He was in and out of the team and did not know his best position.
"Thierry Henry speaks about what an education he had under Guardiola in his three seasons at Barcelona.
"The City manager has worked his magic on Sterling, transforming him into one of the most serious footballers around."
