Former England star John Barnes supports Gareth Southgate’s decision to omit Raheem Sterling from the squad despite Sterling’s recent strong performances for Chelsea. Despite scoring in the thrilling 4–4 draw against Manchester City, Sterling has not represented England since the 2022 World Cup. Southgate mentioned that the door is open for Sterling’s comeback, but he faces a challenging path to qualify for Euro 2024.
Cole Palmer, Sterling’s uncapped teammate at Chelsea, was chosen over him for the upcoming matches against Malta and North Macedonia. Barnes, acknowledging the criticism, believes Southgate made the right call, considering the depth of talent available. Barnes stated, “It’s not a problem that Raheem isn’t in the squad; I’ll always have him in the England team.”
Sterling’s recent performance could justify his inclusion, but the squad was selected before the City match, and Barnes anticipates Sterling’s return. Barnes highlights England’s wide options, including Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, and Jarrod Bowen.
Speculating on Sterling’s omission, Barnes suggests that Southgate may view him as less of a wildcard compared to other players. Barnes expresses trust in Southgate’s ability to select the team, saying, “We trust Gareth Southgate to pick the team.”
Despite differing fan opinions on squad selections, Barnes values Southgate’s words and actions, emphasizing the clarity in the team’s playing style under Southgate’s management. In conclusion, while Sterling’s exclusion has sparked debate, Barnes stands by Southgate’s decision, citing the manager’s trust in a diverse range of wide players for the national team.
