Ferdinand questions how England duo are getting picked ahead of Sterling

13 November 2023 , 17:05

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Ferdinand questions how England duo are getting picked ahead of Sterling

Rio Ferdinand has expressed his disbelief that Raheem Sterling has had another England snub.

England legend Ferdinand has even suggested there might be an agenda against in-form Sterling who has been overlooked for the last five squads. Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has promoted Rico Lewis, Ezri Konsa and Cole Palmer to his squad after the latest round of injury pull-outs.

But there is still no place for 28-year-old Sterling despite his record for England and his reputation as a big game player for his country. Sterling was England’s best player at Euro 2020 while he was forced to fly home from the last World Cup after a burglary at his home.

But Ferdinand has questioned whether that is part of it because Sterling is in better form for Chelsea than Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish who are in the squad to face Malta and North Macedonia. Kalvin Phillips and Harry Maguire have also kept their places but there appears to be no way back for Sterling.

Ferdinand, in his Vibe with Five podcast, said: “Free my guy, free Raheem Sterling. I don’t know what he’s done, whose nose he’s put out of joint. Was it him coming back from the tournament or something like that?

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“I don’t know what’s happened but for him not to be in the England squad is beyond me. I know there’s a lot of talent but if we’re talking form then he’s got more assists and goal involvements than Rashford and Grealish together.

Raheem Sterling has been dealt another brutal England snub (Getty Images)

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“Or if you want to go: ‘has he been tried and tested at the top level?’ He was England’s best player at the Euros. That was a couple of years ago but Kalvin Phillips is playing on the back of a good Euros. Maguire is playing on the back of that.

“So if they’re playing because of that, what’s happened to Sterling? Free him up!”

John Cross