Gareth Southgate has been told that starting Raheem Sterling at the World Cup for England is a “no brainer” after the forward ended his barren run of form for Chelsea on Wednesday.
The Blues winger has come under fire of late after failing to score in the Premier League since August, while his previous Champions League goal came back in September, with the 27-year-old struggling to replicate his deadly form at Manchester City since moving to west London this summer.
So poor has his been his early season form, BBC pundit Pat Nevin claimed his place on the plane to Qatar should be in major doubt, saying: "Raheem Sterling. If he keeps playing the way he is right now, he’s not even a consideration for the World Cup."
But following his fifth goal of the season in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat of Dinamo Zagreb, Southgate has been reminded that Sterling remains an integral part of England’s squad ahead of the World Cup later this month.
Following the full time whistle at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport: “Sterling starts at the World Cup. Forget going, he starts. Simple as that for me.”
He added: “I was delighted for him because I've been hearing some outlandish comments about should he even go to the World Cup for England.
“But this guy whatever happens he gets into good areas, he doesn't shy away when things aren't going his way, he still always gets himself into positions where he can affect the game and his endeavour is always there, his determination, desire, I mean this is what I love about him.”
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Sterling notched 131 goals and 95 assists in 339 games across all competitions during seven trophy-laden seasons at the Etihad Stadium, including four Premier League titles under Guardiola’s stewardship.
The last time he failed to reach double figures for goals in the top flight was during the 2016-17 campaign, while his final season at Man City last term saw the England international hit the back of the net 17 times in all competitions.
As a result, there were high expectations for Sterling heading into his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge. Three goals and one assist in his first five games was a respectable start, but then came a barren run of one goal in his next 11 fixtures for the Blues.
He ended that drought with his 18th minute strike against Zagreb on Wednesday to bring Chelsea back on level terms, and although he is yet to score in the Premier League since August, Joe Cole agreed with Ferdinand over Sterling’s place in the England squad.
“It's an absolute no-brainer, of course he goes to the World Cup”, he told BT Sport. “His biggest strength is what's between his ears. You ain't got no worries about him going into a World Cup. People talk about him not going - absurd.
“Someone who's come through what he's come through to become the player he's become, when you pull that shirt on for England at the World Cup he will puff his chest out and get on the ball and make it happen, I have no doubt about it.”
