England chase perfect present
1000TH GAME: STERLING INCIDENT SOURS OCCASION
England’s plan to celebrate their 1 000th international by qualifying for Euro 2020 in serene style against Montenegro at Wembley today has been ripped up by Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop Raheem Sterling.
The Manchester City winger was involved in a physical confrontation with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez at England’s training base on Monday as emotions spilled over from the highly anticipated Premier League clash between the two clubs on Sunday.
Sterling has been the star of a qualifying campaign dominated by off-field issues where the Three Lions have largely let their football do the talking on it.
Bar a shock defeat to the Czech Republic last month, the World Cup semifinalists have shown why they will be among the favourites to win a first major tournament in 54 years next summer.
Sterling, 24, has scored eight of his side’s 26 goals in six games as he has blossomed into one of the world’s best players.
He has also been a leading figure as England have stood up to racist abuse in Montenegro and Bulgaria.
One of Southgate’s strengths since taking charge three years ago has been to foster unity in the camp, far removed from the clubaligned cliques that hampered the chances of talented England sides of the past.
That now faces its biggest test as the bubbling rivalry between Liverpool and City threatens to spill over.
Southgate’s first instinct was reportedly to send Sterling home, but the intervention of senior players, principally Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, helped ease the feud and Sterling remained with the squad to train.
“I always have to find the right solution for the group and that’s a very difficult line,” said Southgate. “We have a very good understanding of the way that we have worked over the last couple of years, which has brought us a lot of togetherness that is still there.
“Now we have to turn our focus on to the football. We have a hugely important qualifier.”
Sterling has since apologised to Gomez and the rest of the squad.