Gareth Southgate has reaffirmed that the opportunity remains open for Raheem Sterling despite the forward being omitted from England’s 25-player squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
Sterling’s last appearance for England was during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he came on as a late substitute in the quarter-final defeat to France. While his performance at Chelsea, following a £50 million move from Manchester City, faced challenges, the 28-year-old has shown improved form both individually and with the club in the 2023/24 campaign.
Southgate, however, explained that the intense competition for positions in England’s attacking lineup led to Sterling’s exclusion. Despite acknowledging Sterling’s qualities and significance to the team’s recent successes, Southgate emphasized the difficulty in choosing him over other deserving players.
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“The door is 100% open, not only for Raheem but for other players. There’s no doubt about that,” Southgate stated. “We don’t need to question his quality or personality. He has played a crucial role in our recent journey. The team is performing exceptionally well. We had a remarkable win against Italy last time. The decision comes down to the challenge of choosing, and unfortunately, someone has to be left out for each selection.”
Southgate cited England’s impressive performances in March and June, during Sterling’s absence, as a rationale for his continued exclusion. He emphasized that other players have emerged on the radar, providing a different dynamic to the team.
“In March and June, when Raheem wasn’t available, the team embarked on a positive run. We achieved a historic win in Italy after 60 years, and the performances in June were outstanding, so we maintained continuity with that group,” Southgate explained.
While acknowledging Sterling’s current form and dynamism with his club, Southgate pointed out the intense competition for positions in the attacking area. He highlighted the noteworthy performances of players like Jarrod Bowen, who has already scored seven goals this season, Anthony Gordon’s strong performances at Newcastle, and the emerging talent of Cole Palmer.
“It’s an area of the pitch where competition for places is particularly fierce. Raheem is undoubtedly showing his danger for the club, and he seems rejuvenated since the start of the season. However, there’s a changing landscape in that regard,” Southgate added.
England has already secured their spot at Euro 2024, solidifying their position at the top of Group C with a recent 3-1 victory over Italy.