Raheem Sterling admits he is in a happier place at Manchester City in recent months, but still refused to be drawn on whether he will sign a new contract.
Sterling's current deal at City expires next summer, and he said last year that he would be prepared to leave if he didn't get more playing time. Since then, though, he was won back his place in the team, returned to form, and become a key player as City chase the Premier League and Champions League.
Speaking ahead of City's Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid on Tuesday, Sterling was asked whether he had any more updates regarding contract talks or his future plans, but the England international declined to commit himself either way.
ALSO READ: Ilkay Gundogan names two destinations he could play if he leaves Man City in 2023
"At the minute I'm just happy to be playing, happy to be contributing with the team," he said, hinting at a decision after the season concludes.
"I think that's the most important thing. At this period, I think it would be selfish of me to speak of any contract situation and I'm just happy to be playing football and see where we are at the end of the season."
Sterling also commented on his mood at City, saying he's pleased to be contributing with important goals and assists.
"As a player and forward, to be playing and scoring and making assists, contributing to the team is a massive thing," he noted.
"That's where you get your confidence from and at the moment I'm happy to have a part with the team and try to contribute as much as I can.
"I’m playing and contributing a lot more to the team this season. And yeah, I mean a good mood, a good spirit. The football club's in a semi-final for Champions League we're fighting for a title. There's not much more I can ask for. So yeah, a great spirit.
"It's like anything, when you make your professional debut, then it's on to the next thing it's, scoring your first goal and then after scoring your first goal, as a human you always have to try and do better and that's the case with me every season. I try to see how I can improve and all these things that come along I was trying to see if I can get the England record [for Champions League goals] and that’s what I’ll try to do."
With plenty of competition for places in City's attack, Sterling then acknowledged that playing time is never guaranteed under Pep Guardiola.
He said: "it's a team full of competition. It's the competition that makes you thrive and once you're performing you just want to keep playing if you're scoring, they can assist you, win a game or whatever. You may just want to keep playing and sometimes you have to come to understand that this is a lot of players in the team."
