Chelsea’s Sterling ‘not happy’ as Southgate explains England squad omission

Gareth Southgate has admitted that Raheem Sterling is “not happy” due to an injury issue he’s been carrying recently as part of the reason the Chelsea star was left out of the England squad. England are back in action next month with Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

The games come just under a week after the Champions League final, with several Manchester City players gunning for the European title against Inter Milan. But that hasn’t stopped Southgate calling up Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, John Stones, Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker to the England squad for the two qualifiers.

There were a few surprise call-ups included in Southgate’s squad with Lewis Dunk back in the fold for the first time since 2018. Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze was also handed his first England call-up, along with team-mate Marc Guehi.

Nick Pope, Ben White and Fikayo Tomori were among the players surprisingly left out – along with Southgate favourite Sterling. While Chelsea have been poor this season, Sterling has been a regular for England under Southgate.

But the Three Lions boss has hinted that the attacker would have been involved were it not for a conversation the pair had recently. “I spoke with him a week or so ago, a general catch-up,” he said.

“He’s not happy physically with his condition. He’s been carrying a hamstring problem. He doesn’t think he’s operating at the level he needs.”

England got off to a strong start in their qualifying group back in March with back-to-back wins over Italy and Ukraine. After their match against Malta (June 16), England will then travel back to host North Macedonia at Old Trafford (June 19) as opposed to Wembley.

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It’s the first time since 2007 that Manchester United’s home ground has played host to an England game.

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, James Maddison, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice.

Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Callum Wilson.

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