‘Free Raheem Sterling!’ – Rio Ferdinand criticised England manager Gareth Southgate for leaving out a prominent player from Chelsea’s most recent Three Lions squad.

Rio Ferdinand has slammed England boss Gareth Southgate after in-form Chelsea ace Raheem Sterling suffered yet another snub from Three Lions squad.

The great of Manchester United was left fuming when England manager Gareth Southgate selected Sterling for the Three Lions side for the forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifying matches, ignoring him once more. While criticising the English manager, Ferdinand said that the Chelsea player had contributed more goals this year than both Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford put together.

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• GettyTHE BIGGER PICTUREThe former Manchester City and Liverpool star hasn’t featured for the English national team since their World Cup quarter-final against France in December 2022. Although the player was injured in the opening round of Euro 2024 qualifying games in March, he was ignored for the next four consecutive England call-ups.

WHAT DID RIO FERDINAND SAY?

Speaking on his YouTube channel Five, the former England defender said: “Free Sterling. Free my guy, Raheem Sterling. I don’t know what he’s done; I don’t know whose nose he has put out of joint. I don’t know what’s happened. For him not to be in the England squad is beyond me. There’s a lot of talent; don’t get me wrong. But if we’re talking form, he’s got more goals and assists, more goal contributions than Rashford and Grealish put together.”

• Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?Southgate’s men, who have already booked a berth at next year’s European Championship, will first face Malta on Friday before taking on North Macedonia three days later.