“I won’t pick his calls again after what he did”- Chelsea Star Raheem has revealed how Gareth Southgate and other England internationals teased and irritated him until he left the England World Cup camp in tears in 2022 and Why Gareth Southgate dropped him ever Since

Raheem Sterling finds himself in the midst of a significant challenge to restore his once-dominant presence within the England national team, a situation that hasn’t gone unnoticed by manager Gareth Southgate.

With an illustrious career spanning 82 caps for England since his debut in 2012, Sterling’s recent international fortunes have taken a downturn. Despite an impressive record of 20 goals, including 18 scored under Southgate’s guidance, he was notably absent from the England squad for the sixth consecutive time during the latest selection announcement.

The disappointment of the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal defeat to France marked Sterling’s last appearance in an England jersey. Since then, emerging talents such as Jarrod Bowen, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon have risen through the ranks, overshadowing Sterling’s previous prominence in the national team setup.

While Sterling continues to be a regular starter for Chelsea in the Premier League, his time on the pitch has gradually decreased as the current season has progressed, indicating a decline in his influence.

In discussing Sterling’s future prospects, Southgate acknowledged the intense competition for attacking positions within the squad. He highlighted the impressive performances of contenders like Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, as well as the prolific goal-scoring abilities of Bowen. Despite recognizing Sterling’s proven capability in crucial matches, Southgate reiterated the importance of ongoing competition for places, with the likes of Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka adding further depth to the attacking options.

Approaching his thirties, Sterling’s occasional captaincy and private dissatisfaction with recent exclusions highlight his determination to regain a pivotal role in the national team setup. Southgate stressed the delicate balance between loyalty and tactical effectiveness in squad selection, emphasizing that opportunities for players to stake their claims persist, as demonstrated by Gordon’s recent inclusion.

In summary, while Sterling’s contributions are still highly regarded, his journey back to prominence requires a determined resurgence in the face of stiff competition for England’s attacking talents.