Euro 2020 will do a lot for the careers of many different players, but no one will benefit from the tournament as Raheem Sterling.
The 26-year-old participated in the competition without a doubt the biggest route in his senior career. He had undoubtedly been overwhelming at club level for Manchester City and ended the season as a bit-part player behind England team-mate Phil Foden in pecking order.
Sterling had a tough year at City / David Ramos / Getty Images
There was a general feeling that Sterling may have passed his last date. He was linked with a move from City, who had Foden as their new star, and many fans felt that he was not close enough to be England’s starting edge at the European Championships 2020.
Gareth Southgate blocked the noise. He had seen the best of Sterling, who had 12 goals and ten assists in his previous 16 games for his country, and kept his faith in the City man at a time when no one else really did.
And what a decision that turned out to be.
In his seven games, Sterling collected three goals and one assist. He was England’s best performer by far and led an attacking line that was actually quite outdated early on. Before Harry Kane decided to show up, Sterling had the whole country on his back and scored the team’s first three goals and was the only reason they actually topped their group.
Had England won the tournament, Sterling would undoubtedly have been named Euro 2020’s best player, and it would not have even been close.
In less than a month, Sterling has gone from an unwanted city flop to a national hero. He has proven to be able to score goals, win matches and play on the biggest stage – three things he was criticized for struggling with last season.
This raises the question: what happened last year?
Sterling was another animal for England / John Sibley – Pool / Getty Images
While we have never received a direct response from Sterling, he has given us more than a few tips. After the Croatia game, he admitted that there were many reasons, shortly afterwards he admitted that his form was affected by the accident with his situation.
During Pep Guardiola last season, who seemed to see him as “just a new winger”, Sterling found it very difficult to show his best. But when he was backed to the high heavens by Southgate, he was able to put on the style.
This is not to say that Guardiola is to blame for Sterling’s bad form, but more importantly it should prove that it was bad form and not a general downturn that almost made him fight for his career at the highest level.
Let’s just take a moment to appreciate that @ Sterling7 help? #ThreeLions | @England | # Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/gpiEWPe5RE
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 4, 2021
Guardiola should be open to the idea of making Sterling a focal point for his attack again, but if he does not, there will be more than a few bosses watching him at Euro 2020 and will be prepared to offer him a new home. .
This summer could have been a tumultuous one for Sterling, but he has not redeemed himself. His future may still be a bit murky, but there is now a light at the end of the tunnel that did not appear to be there a few weeks ago.
