Two summers ago, during those balmy Euro 2020 evenings, the image of an England squad without Raheem Sterling, Harry Maguire, Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Pickford would have been unthinkable.
Sterling, now 28, was England’s star of the tournament, Maguire, 30, the foundation of their run to the final, Phillips, 27, the midfield lynchpin who held it all together and Pickford, 29, the man behind a defense that just conceded one goal from open play throughout the tournament.
So with that in mind yesterday’s England press conference where Gareth Southgate revealed his squad for June’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia should be a cautionary tale.
Sterling was left out altogether, a mutual decision following talks between the player and Southgate to ease the physical and mental strain of a man endured a turbulent season.
Maguire, Phillips and Pickford were named in the 25-man side, but their selections were tempered somewhat by sharp warnings from Southgate about their international futures.
Raheem Sterling was omitted from the England squad to play Malta and North Macedonia in June
The Chelsea striker is no longer as an integral part of the England squad as he was a few years ago
But, as Mail Sport predicted yesterday, it was Sterling who emerged as the big talking point. His season was marked by constant injuries, disrupted by managerial changes and massive instability on and off the pitch at Stamford Bridge.
We should also not forget the incident when armed intruders broke into his home in Surrey, causing him to fly back from the World Cup.
“Following a private discussion between coach and player, a mutual decision has been reached that Raheem Sterling will sit out the upcoming internationals and instead focus on restoring his body in preparation for the season ahead,” Sterling said in a statement.
Southgate has used this tactic before. He left Jordan Henderson from the UEFA Nations League squad last summer. Five months later, the Liverpool captain emerged as a key player for England in the World Cup. There is hope that this decision may lead to a similar path.
Indeed, the mood music emerging from Wembley yesterday was that Sterling remains central to Southgate’s plans.
For Sterling’s part, he remains as fully committed to England as ever.
Still, it should be emphasized that he is no longer an automatic starter for his country. The emergence of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and a revived Marcus Rashford underlines the feeling that the Chelsea star is no longer as integral as he once was.
That Southgate dodged a question about whether Sterling would have been selected had it not been for a mutual agreement is perhaps an indication for the future. That said, a rest could be just what Sterling needs to forget after his season. Southgate believes this is the case.
Gareth Southgate believes Sterling will play a vital role in getting Chelsea back to the top
“I don’t see a scenario where Chelsea aren’t in the top six next year, and I’m sure he will play a fundamental part in that,” said Southgate. “Looking at him I would always support him to react strongly and have the resilience and tenacity to prove himself.
“He has shown time and again for us that he has been an important player. His mental toughness stands out.
“I had to make phone calls during the World Cup where you have to go with what you think is right for the team. But that doesn’t mean I don’t really appreciate the important goals he scored for us, the big games where he made the difference and the fact that he will do it again.
“He is an important part of our group and that remains the same, but as a player I also understand that it is difficult.”
And it looks like Sterling isn’t the only player who will need to get off to a flying start next season. Again Maguire’s selection was a major bone of contention among England supporters on social media yesterday.
Harry Maguire’s place in the squad continues to be questioned due to lack of playing time
Jordan Pickford (L) and Kalvin Phillips have also been warned about their places in England
The mockery is understandable. The centre-back has spent much of Manchester United’s season on the bench and is currently being kept out of the team by left-back Luke Shaw. Phillips hasn’t fared much better. The midfielder has made one Premier League start for Manchester City since his £42 million move from Leeds last summer.
It’s getting harder and harder to justify their choice – and Southgate agrees. The England coach said: “It’s not a situation that can go on forever. They are important players for us, but we have to keep looking for competition in that part of the field.’
And the prospect of first-choice goalkeeper Pickford plying his trade in the Championship next season has not passed Southgate’s mind either.
His club Everton could suffer on Sunday, and when asked if he can still select Pickford if he’s not a top player next season, Southgate replied: “It would depend on how well he played, but it wouldn’t be.” ideal because obviously the level of attacking, finishing, speed of the game would be completely different, so I think it would be difficult.’