MANCHESTER, England -- Raheem Sterling insists he isn't motivated by trying to prove critics wrong after starting the season in spectacular fashion for Manchester City.
The England forward was again in blistering form in City's 3-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday -- scoring twice in another fine individual performance.
Sterling has been rejuvenated under new City boss Pep Guardiola and has featured in four of City's five games in the club's perfect start to the season -- and has four assists in those games.
It's a far cry from a miserable Euro 2016 for the winger during which he was heavily criticised by fans and media as England disappointed in France before losing to Iceland in the round of 16.
Sterling looked short of confidence in the summer, but the 21-year-old insists he has put that to the back of his mind and is concentrating on trying to win trophies with City this season.
"I didn't come into the season thinking 'I want to show everyone' but just to concentrate on my football, that's the most important thing," Sterling told reporters.
"People will talk and stuff like that, but the most important thing for me was to come in and do well under the new manager and impress here. I knew if I kept working hard, I would get my chances.
"Every day I'm learning, last year learning, it was a massive learning curve for me. It's something that I will definitely take into every season with me to remember that sort of stuff and just to move forward from it.
"It's part and parcel of the game. Sometimes you do well, and sometimes you are not at your best. I just made a promise, something that I said to myself that when I come back at the start of this season, I am going to work hard and try to be as consistent as I can."
Sterling has been helped by an unwavering support from new City boss Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard called him during his tough times at the European Championship to give him a pep talk, and Guardiola has publicly backed him in preseason and the opening weeks of the Premier League.
Sterling said it was a big boost to his confidence but insists that he must continue improving if City are to be successful this season.
"It was a big lift," he said. "The manager's been in the game a long time, won stuff, worked with young players, worked with great players, and I think he knows how to get the best out of his players, and he's been a massive help. But not just for me, but the other players as well, the whole team.
"It's good to have a manager that not just talks to me, but makes the whole team feel really welcome, makes everyone feel they are all one, whether you are starting or not. Everyone's hungry, everyone's ready to run for him and play for him.
"It's a challenge. He puts his system into play, likes a certain way to play, and when everyone is working hard together it's a plus and you get the rewards for it.
"I'm enjoying my football and I am enjoying winning games, and I am working hard to continue doing that. This is the season you will see me working my hardest, that's for sure."