Jamie Carragher believes Raheem Sterling is justifiably annoyed after being left out of Gareth Southgate’s most recent England squad.
The Chelsea forward produced a brilliant performance against Manchester City on Sunday as the Blues battled back to claim a thrilling point in a 4-4 draw.
Sterling gave Chelsea a shock lead in the first half against City after storming in at the back-post to get a touch on Reece James’ driven cross.
The 28-year-old scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season in Sunday’s chaotic match and starred against his former side where he won four English top-flight titles.
However, his impressive performances haven’t been enough to convince Southgate that the experienced star deserves a place back in the national team set-up.
Raheem Sterling starred for Chelsea as they secured a late 4-4 draw against Man City on Sunday
Sterling scored against his former club in the entertaining Premier League match at Stamford Bridge and will now enjoy a period of rest after not being included in England’s upcoming squad
Carragher explained Sterling will be ‘disappointed’ after failing to make the Three Lions squad for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
‘Sterling has been brilliant. There’s no doubt he’ll be disappointed he is not in the England squad. I think he has a case.’
Southgate named his latest England squad earlier in the week with Sterling again left out in favour of other Premier League stars who have become regulars in the national team.
Sterling hasn’t played for England since coming on as a substitute in last year’s World Cup against France
Jamie Carragher believes Sterling ‘has a case’ to feel disappointed at not being included in the England team
It was the fifth successive Three Lions squad that Sterling has failed to be included in after previously being one of the most consistent starters in Southgate’s England team.
Sterling has earned 82 caps for his country but hasn’t featured in almost a year after coming on as a substitute in England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat against France.
Explaining the decision to not include Sterling, Southgate stated at the time: ‘The door is 100% open not only for Raheem but for other players who aren’t in this squad, there’s no doubt about that,’ Southgate told reporters.
‘He’s a crucial part of why we’ve had the journey we’ve had over the last few years. I can only repeat what I said in the last few squad selection meetings, this squad is playing well, we had an exceptional win against Italy here, so who do we leave out? It’s as simple as that.’