Carragher backs England star to beat Harry Kane to player of tournament award

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Raheem Sterling will beat team-mates Harry Kane and Harry Maguire to be named the player of Euro2020.

The Manchester City forward has scored three times in the tournament so far and he won a crucial penalty as the Three Lions saw off Denmark last night to book their spot in Sunday’s final against Italy.

Roberto Mancini’s men have enjoyed a fine tournament themselves, with the likes of Leonardo Spinazzola and Federico Chiesa impressing for the four-time World Cup winners.

But Carragher believes the winner will be Sterling, as he’s proved more influential than the likes of Kane and Maguire.

Asked who has most impressed him at the tournament, Carragher told Sky Sports: ‘Raheem Sterling.

‘I said this after the group games, I think Raheem Sterling has been England’s best player by a long way.

‘There was a lot of talk going into the competition that his position in the team was up for grabs, which I couldn’t understand because he has been outstanding for [manager] Gareth Southgate since the World Cup, over a two or three-year period

‘And especially the way Harry Kane is playing, coming deeper for the ball and trying to get on the ball, you have to have people making runs in behind and having pace in behind.

‘I think before this tournament started, the two first names on the team sheet, if everyone was fit, would be Harry Kane and Harry Maguire – but now it has to be Raheem Sterling joining those two.

‘Normally the player of the tournament does come from the nation who won the tournament, but not all the time.

‘Italy will have a few shouts, the left-back [Leonardo Spinazzola] who is unfortunately not going to play in the final [due to injury] and (Federico)Chiesa has come in and done a great job. The two centre-backs as well.

‘It’s not just Raheem Sterling in the England team – I think Harry Maguire has had a huge influence since he came back in, Harry Kane is now getting back to what we expect from him in terms of goals and performances.

‘But I think Raheem Sterling, at this moment, has it to lose, shall we say.’

Gareth Southgate is likely to stick with the 4-2-3-1 system that worked well against Denmark in Sunday’s showpiece.

That means there’s only a couple of places up for grabs, with Bukayo Saka the most at risk of losing his spot despite another impressive performance.

Phil Foden, Jack Grealish or Jadon Sancho could come into the side depending on how Southgate wants to line up.

At full-back, Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw are likely to retain their spots either side of Harry Maguire and John Stones.

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