Sterling Defends England Manager On UEFA Nations League Defeat 

Raheem Sterling has leapt to the defence of his England national team coach Gareth Southgate in the aftermath of their UEFA Nations League defeat to Italy on Friday night.

England have never won in five international matches and have been relegated to the Group B of the tournament.

“It is not for Gareth to shoulder the blame. We have players that can take responsibility as well and it starts with these performances,” the Chelsea forward stated.

Sterling sppke from a position of knowledge. He has been exactly where Southgate finds himself in this moment — in the eye of the storm, taking abuse from his own supporters while representing England.

“I remember coming with the national team, there was a period when I first came into the squad it was really enjoyable — and there was a period where I actually dreaded coming,’ recalled Sterling.

There’s the recovery from the surgery – which is an estimated time – and then there’s the reality of how much football he might have and how much football he’s had in the last eight weeks,” explained the former defender.