Pacey Sterling proves doubters wrong
Moscow – Raheem Sterling found himself at the centre of controversy in the run-up to the World Cup and is still searching for his best form in Russia but manager Gareth Southgate insists he is a “fundamental” part of the England set-up.
Sterling has started four of England’s five games on their run to the semifinals, looking threatening at times yet unable to end an international goal drought that dates back to October 2015.
The 23-year-old has scored just twice in 42 appearances for England – against modest Lithuania and Estonia – a record that stands in sharp contrast to his increasingly prolific strike rate at club level.
In his second season under Pep Guardiola, Sterling bagged a career-best 23 goals in 46 appearances as City stormed to the Premier League title.
Such efficiency has so far been missing from his game at the World Cup, with a moment of indecision spoiling a clear-cut chance in the 2-0 quarterfinal win over Sweden.
It was an otherwise-promising performance for Sterling, arguably his best of the competition, as he repeatedly found pockets of space and was a consistent danger against a solid defence.
Sterling endured vitriolic abuse after a series of tame performances at Euro 2016, and he was widely criticised again ahead of the World Cup for having a tattoo of a gun on his leg.
Some more hysterical commentators even called for him to be dropped from the squad.
He explained that it was a tribute to his father, who was shot dead in his birthplace of Jamaica when Sterling was just two years old.
After a quiet first game against Tunisia, there was speculation Sterling would be dropped for the group match against Panama.
Those rumours proved unfounded as Sterling played the full 90 minutes of the 6-1 rout, setting up Jesse Lingard for England’s goal of the tournament so far.
He was rested for the 1-0 defeat to Belgium but restored to the line-up as England entered the knockout rounds.
Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic identified Sterling as one of the primary obstacles that stands between his team and a place in the final.
“I think Raheem Sterling is an important player because he is fast and dangerous alongside Harry Kane,” said Dalic ahead of today’s clash in Moscow.