England football legend John Barnes supports Gareth Southgate’s decision to exclude Raheem Sterling from the national squad, despite Sterling’s recent stellar performances for Chelsea. Sterling, who hasn’t played for England since the 2022 World Cup, has faced exclusion despite noteworthy contributions to Chelsea, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 14 games.
Southgate, emphasizing an open door for Sterling’s return, left him out for upcoming games against Malta and North Macedonia, opting for uncapped Cole Palmer instead. Barnes acknowledges Sterling’s recent form but believes Southgate’s decision is justifiable given the abundance of talent at his disposal.
While Barnes personally would include Sterling, he recognizes the tough choices Southgate faces. The England and Liverpool legend points out that the squad selection occurred before Sterling’s standout performance against Manchester City. Barnes asserts that Sterling’s absence is not a significant concern, as the door remains open for his return.
Barnes highlights England’s wealth of options, mentioning Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, and Jarrod Bowen. He emphasizes the difficulty of Southgate’s decisions, considering the pool of talent available.
Expressing trust in Southgate’s judgment, Barnes notes that fans will always have opinions on squad selections. He respects and trusts Southgate’s clarity regarding the team’s playing style. Despite differing opinions, Barnes supports Southgate’s choices, acknowledging the challenging task of assembling a squad from a talented pool of players.
