RAHEEM STERLING still has Gareth Southgate’s trust when it comes to big games.
For his sake, and the sake of England’s World Cup hopes, the man who reached the milestone of 75 international caps in Munich needs to find a club manager who feels the same.
Raheem Sterling showed England’s frustration when they struggled to create chances in the first hour of the 1-1 draw against Germany in Munich
Frontman Raheem Sterling whips in a cross before Germany took the lead
Perhaps Sterling can win over Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and return to being a key man in the Prem.
But if not, choosing the right move this summer will be crucial to shaping the next phase of his career for club and country.
After a mix-and-match England side slumped to defeat in Hungary, Southgate picked a strong line-up for the clash with Germany, a nation that remains the benchmark for success.
And throughout his reign, that has meant picking 27-year-old Sterling.
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He started every game at the 2018 World Cup bar the dead-rubber group match against Belgium.
At last summer’s European Championships, he was in the first XI every time and played all but 47 minutes as England got to the final.
In contrast, Sterling got to perform in just 52 minutes of City’s final three games in this year’s Champions League.
On Tuesday night in Munich, Sterling showed flashes of what he — and he alone — can bring to this England team.
An incisive run in first-half stoppage time almost created an opening.
The touch that played in Mason Mount early in the second half was sublime.
But there was also a sense of something missing.
A firing Sterling would probably have been at the back post to tuck in Harry Kane’s early cross, or hit a more convincing shot just past the hour.
And when he wriggled free on the edge of the box, glory beckoned but he held his head in his hands after ballooning over the bar.
Only 21 players have more England caps than Sterling.
Just 23 have scored more than his 19 goals, with 17 of those under Southgate.
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One of England’s main men is at an age where players often enter their prime.
Southgate will hope that whatever Sterling decides, he is back to his best for Qatar in November.
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