Stellar Sterling is on another planet

RAHEEM STERLING hasn’t reached his peak yet. It is an exciting prospect, and one that will have Gareth Southgate — and Pep Guardiola — rubbing their hands. You almost forget he’s 24, maybe because he’s been playing senior football since he was 17. If he’s this good now, what can we expect in the next four or five years? But we shouldn’t look too far ahead. We should sit back, relax and enjoy the Sterling we have in front of us. There is no better football player in England, maybe in Europe. Bursting with poise, invention and killer instinct, he was untouchable at Wembley, England’s most complete attacking force, with the potential to become one of the best this country has produced if his career continues on its current trajectory. The Czechs didn’t have an answer for him. In this mood not many teams would. It was quite a night for the Manchester City man, with a hat-trick, as well as earning England’s penalty, which was converted by Harry Kane. The calmness he displayed in picking his spot for England’s third goal was particularly pleasing. Long gone are the days when Sterling would panic at the sight of goal. He now flourishes, he’s now lethal. He now scores, more often than not. It raises the question, who is England’s most important player: Kane or Sterling? There are valid arguments for both. Not that Southgate will be giving the issue a moment’s thought. The two in tandem are as good as you’ll find in Europe. But at the moment, Sterling is on another planet.