ENGLAND fans are convinced Gareth Southgate regrets not picking Chelsea star Raheem Sterling after his sensational display against Manchester City on Sunday.
The forward, 28, scored the Blues’ second goal and was a constant threat in the remarkable 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.
He now has five goals and two assists this season – with the performance against Man City possibly the pick of the bunch.
It comes just three days after Southgate – who was not at Stamford Bridge on Sunday – left him out of his squad for a fifth successive time.
The Three Lions face Malta and North Macedonia in their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers, although they have already booked their place in Germany next summer.
Sterling has not played for his country since coming off the bench in England’s 2-1 loss to France in their World Cup quarter-final last year.
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The Three Lions boss opted for an attacking group of Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Callum Wilson, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Jarrod Bowen and James Maddison.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports: “Sterling has been brilliant. There’s no doubt he’ll be disappointed he is not in the England squad. I think he has a case.”
While ex-England striker Darren Bent said: “It’s actually embarrassing Sterling isn’t in the England squad.”
And fans piled in with similar views as they believe Southgate is ruing the move to omit Sterling once more.
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One added: “Southgate must be feeling like a fool. Nobody to drop Sterling for?”
Another replied: “I don’t know what Gareth Southgate is smoking but leaving out Sterling for the upcoming camp is atrocious.”
A third responded: “Rashford over sterling is hilarious and enough proof Southgate hasn’t a clue!”
While a fourth said: “I don’t really know Southgate well. He will be kicking himself for not inviting Palmer and Sterling to play for England.”
And a fifth added: “I hope Southgate watched Sterling today.”
Man City left winger Grealish, 28, who came on as a second-half substitute in the draw with Chelsea, has posted far less impressive stats than Sterling so far this season.
And Sterling has also had more of an impact than the likes of Rashford and Foden at club level.
When quizzed on Sterling not making his squad earlier this week, Southgate insisted he could still return to the side.
He said: “Well, the door is 100 per cent open not only for Raheem but for other players not in the squad.
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“We don’t need to know about his quality, his personality. He is a crucial part of why we’ve had the journey we’ve had over the last few years.
“I can only repeat what I have said in the meetings, we’re playing exceptionally well and who can I leave out?”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
