Gareth Southgate called up Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips to the latest England squad despite the duo having played just a combined 29 minutes of competitive first-team football this season
Ferdinand questions baffling Southgate decision amid Sterling disappointment (Image: Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Rio Ferdinand has questioned why Gareth Southgate decided to omit Raheem Sterling from the England squad, yet still pick Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips. The Three Lions boss overlooked the in-form Chelsea star ahead of a crucial European qualifier against Ukraine and a friendly versus Scotland.
Sterling has already featured four times for the Blues this season, directly contributing towards two goals. Despite Chelsea’s slow start to the campaign, the 28-year-old forward has impressed under Mauricio Pochettino, often single-handedly spearheading attacks.
However, despite his best efforts, Southgate decided to not call Sterling up to the England squad. Ahead of the Three Lions’ upcoming qualifiers, the 53-year-old explained why he left him out.
“We were really pleased with the group,” said Southgate. “To bring Raheem back in, we have to leave someone else out — and on the basis of three [club] games, I don’t think anyone deserves to be left out.
“It is really good to see Raheem start the season so well. He looks fit and hungry, but in those attacking positions behind the nine, we have a lot of competition.”
After the England squad was revealed, Ferdinand sympathised with Sterling and claimed that he should be ‘very disappointed’ with Southgate’s decision. Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, the former Manchester United defender said: “If I was Sterling, I’d be very disappointed, bearing in mind what he’s done for this England team when he’s been in or around it.
“If you’re going by the yard stick that Gareth’s using with the likes of Maguire and Phillips, why is it all right for them guys to get in and not him? Sterling’s probably been the main bright spark at Chelsea.”
Despite Southgate’s claim that nobody he selected ‘deserved to be left out’, Maguire and Phillips have played a combined 29 minutes of competitive first-team football so far this season. Interestingly, the Three Lions boss also selected Jordan Henderson.
Nevertheless, England will face Ukraine on Saturday, September 9, before locking horns with Scotland at Wembley on Tuesday, September 12 in a friendly.
Soucre: football.london
