As value of Sterling drops

THE joke might have been on Steve Holland following his blunder in revealing the team for England’s next World Cup clash.

But one person struggling to see the funny side will be Raheem Sterling.

His name was not on Holland’s list of apparent starters to face Panama in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday.

Boss Gareth Southgate has decided to drop him, according to the information Holland inadvertently shared with the world in training yesterday.

It is another bold call from Southgate, who has shown he is not afraid to make difficult decisions since becoming boss.

Appalling

Sterling held off the challenge of Marcus Rashford to be named in the team to face Tunisia on Monday and initially impressed in a lively first half showing.

But he missed a golden chance to score, which would have been ruled out for offside, though Sterling didn’t know that at the time as he almost tripped himself up.

His poor effort has reignited the debate about his lack of end product at international level.

Two goals in 39 appearances – and none since 2015 – is an appalling record for someone of his calibre and Southgate appears to have decided the time has come to let Rashford off the leash.

Holland has alluded to the management’s concern about where the goals would come from should, heaven forbid, captain Harry Kane get injured or stop scoring.

Panama are expected to be overcome with ease and if Rashford can provide a solution to the problem then Sterling will have to get used to his new place on the substitutes’ bench. He won’t sit there comfortably, either, considering he was one of the best players in the Premier League last season.

His speed, dazzling feet and ability to beat opponents were huge factors in helping Manchester City storm to the Premier League title.

Sterling chucked in an impressive 23 goals for good measure too.

But the fact remains that his club side are so dominant that chances come along as often as London buses.

Sterling still misses some of them, just like he does with England, but when it comes to the champions it doesn’t matter as much.

The feeling is growing that Sterling might just be made to look better than he actually is. And Southgate appears to have taken the decision that Rashford’s time has come.

The Manchester

United forward was sensational against Costa Rica at Elland Road in the final warm-up game and his blistering pace and trickery could well leave the Panama defence in tatters.

Which is a bit like what Holland’s reputation will feel like this morning following his glaring mistake during training in Repino.

The cost of turning England’s training base into the Russian equivalent of Fort Knox has run into six figures for the FA.

But what is the point in going to such great lengths when trade secrets can be dished out like gifts to those on the other side of the huge perimeter fence?

England have been on a high since beating Tunisia 2-1 in their opening game in Volgograd.

But it has been a bad 48 hours or so for Southgate and Holland (left).

Southgate tripped up while jogging and dislocated his shoulder on Tuesday, but it seems Holland has somehow surpassed him when it comes to being left red-faced.

The duo have been more like ‘Laurel and Hardy’ this week.

But Sterling will not be smiling.