Gareth Southgate has raised doubts about Raheem Sterling’s future with the England national football team. In the lead-up to upcoming matches against Australia and Italy, Sterling has been excluded from the lineup for the second consecutive time, and Southgate has made it clear that no player is guaranteed a spot due to increased competition. Despite Sterling’s impressive record of 82 caps and 20 goals for England, Southgate emphasizes that the team now has a wealth of talent, making past achievements less decisive.
Southgate expressed satisfaction with the wide players chosen, including Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jack Grealish, highlighting the fierce competition for positions. He noted that Sterling had been a significant goal scorer, but now other players like Saka, Foden, Rashford, and even Jude Bellingham have shown their scoring prowess. Southgate stressed that Harry Kane is not the sole striking option, pointing out the emergence of new competition.
In the recent lineup selection, Southgate opted for nine forwards, choosing Jarrod Bowen over Sterling. He also addressed injuries affecting Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Stones, and Ollie Watkins, who have been called back. Despite doubts about Bukayo Saka’s fitness, he was included in the squad, along with Harry Maguire, who faced challenges at Manchester United.
Southgate also voiced concerns about FIFA’s plan to hold the 2030 World Cup across three continents, questioning the competition’s integrity. He highlighted the logistical challenges teams would face, moving across various time zones and adjusting to different environments, potentially impacting the fairness of the competition.
