Raheem Sterling should have been included in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, according to pundit Dion Dublin.
The Chelsea winger has been left out of the side ahead of upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Ukraine and Scotland, despite finding form in the opening three games of the new Premier League season. He scored a brace and provided an assist in a 3-1 win over Luton Town ahead of the squad announcement.
Sterling has not played for the Three Lions since the World Cup quarter-final defeat to France last December, and will have to wait a bit longer to add to his 82 caps.
“I was surprised that Raheem Sterling didn’t get the call up to the England squad, he is probably justified on the back of the first few games of getting into this one,” former Manchester United striker Dublin told BBC Football Focus.
“We know Gareth Southgate has his favourites, and he will always pick that backbone of the team that he prefers.
“But it won’t be long until Sterling is back if he continues in this vein of form.”
Southgate admitted that it was a difficult decision to omit Sterling and revealed that the former Man City player has been left disappointed by his exclusion.
“I didn’t want to leave any attacking players out. A lot of competition for places in that area behind the nine,” Southgate told a press conference.
“Really happy to see him do well for Chelsea, but everyone has started the season well. Raheem’s not particularly happy with that.”
Sterling failed to find the target for Chelsea on Saturday as the Blues fell to a shock 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.
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