It’s not just Wales stars
ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate has backed Raheem Sterling to come through the controversy surrounding his gun tattoo and stay focused on final preparations for the World Cup.
The 23-year-old Manchester City forward has been under intense scrutiny during the past week after it emerged he had a tattoo of a gun on his right leg.
Sterling explained the new ink in an Instagram post, revealing it is a tribute to his late father.
The Football Association has supported Sterling since the body art was highlighted on The Sun’s front page earlier in the week and the player trained with the tattoo on display.
Southgate was quizzed on Sterling’s tattoo ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Nigeria at Wembley.
“He knows he’s got our support, he understands how some people have perceived the tattoo. But, in my view, a tattoo is like any work of art. It’s a very individual meaning, the intent is all with the individual and the person,” the England manager said.
“What has been clear by his own statement and his own experiences is that he is not someone who supports or wants to promote guns in the way that was perceived at first.
“It’s something he’s had to get on with this week, but he’s a very strong individual and he’s looking forward to the game.”
Sterling’s father was shot dead when he was two and Southgate paid tribute to the strength of character he has shown to reach the top.
“I think the personal story of a lot of our players is quite remarkable. People often highlight the issues, the faults, of all of the squad, but for so many of them it’s incredible they’ve got to the point they have,” he added.
“They are a great example to young kids of what you can achieve with your life if you are dedicated, if you are focused.” GARETH Bale promises to be the transfer story of the summer as he stands at a crossroads of his career in search of regular football... even though Zinedine Zidane has left as Real Madrid manager.
It remains to be seen who the new Real boss is, how Bale fits into the plans and whether he will still be leaving himself.
But there is actually a whole plethora of Bale’s Wales team-mates who face similar uncertainty with their own careers and must also be wondering what is in store for them next season and beyond.
This is the state of play with the key members of Ryan Giggs’ squad who will soon begin their bid for Euro 2020... Joe Hart at West Ham.
Won’t want to be heading into the Euros or the Uefa Nations League this autumn as second-choice at club level.
GIVEN what happened in Kiev on Saturday night, Ward might fancy his chances of displacing Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.
But Jurgen Klopp is being heavily linked with Roma’s Brazilian keeper Alisson. If that move comes off, it would leave Ward kicking his heels in frustration again.
After spending a season on loan at Huddersfield, helping them into the Premier League, Ward had only two matches during 2017-18.
He may need another season on loan to get first-team action. country.
He will get regular action at Reading, to whom he is contracted until 2020, but the Royals only just escaped the drop to League One and Gunter could find himself involved in another unwanted relegation fight.
WALES’ skipper wasn’t chosen for Everton’s last nine matches and won’t want that barren run to extend into next season. Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka became first picks, while the Toffees are likely to swoop for a new centre-back.
Everyone in Wales knows how inspirational Ash can be at his best, but regular football is required to give the very match sharpness Giggs will want from his captain.
Aston Villa’s abject failure to go up – the biggest under-achievement in the Championship – means Chester will have to spend at least one more season outside of the Premier League.
Villa are reportedly ready to rip up their ageing defence, but, at 29, Chester should avoid the cull.