Under any normal circumstance, a player who isn't getting regular football at his club would immediately be fearful of losing his international place in a World Cup year, yet despite Raheem Sterling's struggles at Manchester City, England boss Gareth Southgate is placing confidence in the forward.
Pep Guardiola has frozen Sterling out at Manchester City this term, preferring to hand minutes to Ferran Torres off the bench and starting both Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva.
This has forced Sterling to accept that he may have to move clubs in the January transfer window, with Barcelona retaining an interest in bringing the 26-year-old to the Camp Nou.
Southgate remains convinced of Sterling's ability
Despite not playing too much football for Manchester City, Gareth Southgate has kept Sterling central to his plans with the English national team.
He has played regularly for England during the international breaks this season and the former Middlesbrough coach is committed to rewarding the work Sterling has done for him in the last two tournaments.
Sterling has been a star
This poor run of domestic form is nothing new for the former Liverpool forward, with it also hanging over him ahead of Euro 2020 last summer.
Yet, Southgate remained committed to Sterling and started him throughout the tournament, and the player responded by scoring crucial goals against Croatia and Germany.
Throughout the 2018 World Cup, Sterling was also a strong performer in Russia for England as well, and it's clear that Southgate wants to keep as much of his core team together ahead of Qatar 2022 as possible.
Southgate is going against his rules
This is, however, unusual for the England coach who has been rather unlike most of his predecessors and has actually picked players on form.
Gone are the days of Sven Goran Eriksson picking whoever was the most popular 25 players in England, with Southgate handing many debuts to players who were excelling in the Premier League.
However, in retaining faith in Sterling whilst he isn't playing domestically, there is a risk that he alienates a number of fans who appreciated just how he went about the job of team selection.
This could all be solved should Sterling get the January move he craves, yet for now we are seeing a new side of Southgate as England boss.
DebruyneChris
0
There’s nothing wrong with his play. Pep just has something against him and picks other players not because they are better. He has done too well in the England national team as of late to be dropped
Sterling is good but Foden, Grealish, Mahrez, Jesus are in very good form and besides Sterling is the go to guy when we want results.. Like he was started in the Champions legue, and in major games, soo its just medea trying to create a story that is not there
loebelmouz
0
for me sterling is the best English winger he just has this natural ability, he has the skill to be up there with mbappe or Neymar south gate knows players like grealish or foden are overrated players the media hypes them too much
fizzbizzie
1
He is the fastest pile of rubbish in the league, I would give him to you, but arsenal would NOT take him! nor would ANY of the big 6! fact! CTID. 💙
anybody would take him but pep won't let him go easy.. any top team in any of the top leagues will jump on the opportunity to sign him .
DUTCH8UKBLUE
0
There’s nothing wrong with his play. Pep just has something against him and picks other players not because they are better. He has done too well in the England national team as of late to be dropped
He is the fastest pile of rubbish in the league, I would give him to you, but arsenal would NOT take him! nor would ANY of the big 6! fact! CTID. 💙
Beatsbybox
0
yeaa continue to trust him,but at the final hurdle he will paint you with heart wrenching misses!!!
Where would England have been without his goals in the Euros? We’re are they those misses your talking about?
Beatsbybox
1
There’s nothing wrong with his play. Pep just has something against him and picks other players not because they are better. He has done too well in the England national team as of late to be dropped
fizzbizzie
3
there's nothing wrong with his form.. he wasn't scoring much while I Liverpool and was still key for them back then. goals are added bonuses for a player like sterling cos he offers more than just goals. it's just that he's been getting a lotta goals in the past and hence people judge him with that
Kioeioptu
4
yeaa continue to trust him,but at the final hurdle he will paint you with heart wrenching misses!!!