Craig Bellamy has backed Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling to score as much as 30-40 goals in one season in the future.
Sterling, 23, is in good form for both club and country, with four goals to his name for City so far this term and two goals in England’s recent Nations League victory over Spain.
The former Liverpool forward netted 23 goals in 46 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side last season, with his record in front of goal improving under the management of the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.
Speaking on Sky Sports on Thursday evening, Bellamy insisted that Sterling will get even better in front of goal in the future and has backed the England star to net as many as 30-40 goals in one season sooner rather than later.
"He's going to get more goals. He's going to get better. We were saying it last year when he was going through that period of missing opportunities, but he was still scoring a lot," Bellamy said.
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"He will get a big amount of goals again this year and there will be a season when he will get to 30 or 40 goals. I'm telling you now, he definitely will do.
"As long as he stays fit and everything goes well with his health, he will have a season where he just takes off.”
Sterling came in for criticism during the World Cup this year, with the forward failing to net a single goal for England in Russia, despite Gareth Southgate’s side reaching the semi-finals.
His goal record for the Three Lions has come into the spotlight somewhat, with the forward failing to replicate his excellent City form in front of goal at international level, scoring just twice in 45 appearances before England’s recent tie against Spain.
However, an impressive brace in that game saw his goal drought come to an end and Bellamy believes Sterling does not deserve some of the harsh comments he receives.
"He gets unnecessary and unwarranted criticism, especially when he goes away with England, but Manchester City are better than England,” the Welshman added.
"When all of a sudden, you go away with England, it will obviously be a little bit more difficult because you haven't got a Sergio Aguero or David Silva next to you or a Kevin De Bruyne who is going to be playing those passes through.
"Even at times at the World Cup, people were questioning what he was doing. If he's not scoring, then he's not doing anything - well I disagree with that completely. It's unbelievable."
Sterling was an unused substitute in City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Fulham on Thursday, with the Premier League champions set to host Southampton at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
