‘I don’t see’: Paul Merson convinced ‘unplayable’ Chelsea man won’t be picked for the Euros
The exclusion of Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling from the England squad in recent camps is one the great mysteries in international football right now.
Raheem Sterling, who’s had a very impressive club career for Liverpool, Manchester City and now Chelsea, is one of the top England stars of his generation.
The fast winger has 20 goals in 82 senior caps for the Three Lions.
However, England boss Gareth Southgate has left Sterling out of every squad since the World Cup in December 2022, including during this month’s international break.
The players are in the final camp before the squad for this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament is picked. We’re guessing Sterling’s chances of going to a sixth consecutive major tournament with England is very slim.
Sterling’s form has certainly been up and down in Chelsea colours this season, but he’s still managed eight goals and 10 assists in 36 games across all competitions.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson thinks the Blues attacker is “unplayable” when he’s in the mood. He can’t picture Southgate picking him for Euro 2024, though.
Merson told Sky Sports: “Euro 2024 has gone for Raheem Sterling now. He’s having one of those times as a forward where everything goes wrong. The more you try, the worse it gets.
“It’s confidence. The pressure is on at Chelsea and the fans are on his back. He could have had a hat-trick the other day and we’d be here now saying how is he not in the squad? Instead, we’re thinking how’s he got that many caps? That’s how quickly football changes.
“When Sterling’s hot, he’s unplayable and he turns up in big tournaments. I don’t know if Southgate has made his mind up on him but I don’t see him at the Euros. It’s hard to make a case for him after the weekend.”
Sterling underperforming for Chelsea
Unfortunately, Sterling’s got little argument when it comes to England this time around.
Speaking via ESPN recently, Mario Melchiot explained that Sterling is not in a good way in terms of his form or confidence.
The left-winger was a main target for the boo-boys following his performance in Sunday’s cup win over Leicester City. His display perfectly highlighted where his game’s currently at, missing big chances to score and making mistakes.
Sterling’s England rivals
If you look at the forwards in the current England group this month, you can see why an out-of-sorts Sterling hasn’t made the cut this time around.
Our question is would Southgate perform a U-turn if Sterling finishes this season in top form?
The Three Lions currently have the likes of West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer as wide options in the squad. You’d have to admit all look bigger and more consistent goal threats at this current moment.
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