Sterling or Rashford? Southgate faces tough choice
REPINO, Russia: England manager Gareth Southgate may be recovering from a dislocated shoulder suffered while jogging, but he may run into more discomfort when deciding whether to drop Raheem Sterling for Marcus Rashford in Sunday’s World Cup game against Panama.
Manchester City forward Sterling did not impress playing in a central role in support of Harry Kane in England’s opening Group G win against Tunisia on Monday.
Sterling has not scored in 21 games for England dating back to an October 2015 strike against Estonia. His record for his country is a meagre two goals in 39 games.
Rashford came off the bench against Tunisia and helped in England’s late push for a second goal which resulted in Kane’s stoppage time winner.
The Manchester United forward also hugely impressed in England’s final warm-up match for the tournament in Russia, scoring a sublime goal against Costa Rica at Elland Road and looking full of confidence.
In terms of current form, the balance looks to be in favour of Rashford and a leaked note, photographed in the hand of Southgate’s assistant Steve Hol land, suggested that Sterling may miss out.
There is also a view, expressed by former England d e f e n d e r Jami e Carragher https:// www.telegraph.co.uk/ world- cup/2018/06/19/ englands- system- doesnot-suit-raheem-sterlingmarcusrashford, that Sterling does not f it easily into Southgate’s new system and that he is more effective for City
England’s system does not suit Sterling - or certainly not in the position he is currently occupying. Jamie Carragher, former England defender
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