FOOTBALL fans were left stunned after Raheem Sterling clattered into former team-mate Phil Foden during Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Sterling was one of Maurico Pochettino’s star players as the Blues held treble winners Man City to a 4-4 draw.
He fired his team ahead in the 37th minute following Erling Haaland’s opener and Thiago Silva’s equaliser.
But additional goals from Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, Manuel Akanji, Rodri and Haaland saw the points shared at Stamford Bridge.
With the scores level in the final stages of the game, Sterling gave Chelsea fans a fright after committing a foul on Foden on the edge of the penalty area.
The Chelsea winger lunged in on the City star in a powerful tackle, but did not get any of the ball.
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Man City were subsequently awarded a free kick, but Kyle Walker’s shot flew over the crossbar.
Fans took to social media to react to Sterling’s challenge, with some joking that it would not have helped his chances of getting back into Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
One person wrote: “Sterling just tried to get his place in the England team himself by smashing Foden.”
Another joked: “Sterling trying to get in the England squad by slicing Foden in half.”
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A third quipped: “Sterling taking Foden out to get himself back in the England squad at his expense.”
While a fourth said: “Sterling doing everything he can to get into the England squad with that tackle on Foden.”
Sterling was left out of the England squad again earlier this week, much to the frustration of many fans.
Speaking about the winger’s controversial omission from the squad, Southgate said: “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?”
Despite dropping points, Man City remain at the top of the Premier League table while Chelsea stay tenth.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
