England manager Roy Hodgson has backed Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling to continue playing regularly for his country and notch up to 100 caps in the process.
Ahead of tonight’s European Qualifier against second-placed Switzerland in Group E, Hodgson has been impressed with the way the youngster has begun life in Manchester and believes he can go on and continue to impress on the international stage after his big-money move.
The winger has been one of the main figures in our fantastic start to the campaign, scoring in the latest game against Watford and providing the assist for Aleksander Kolarov’s near-post finish at Everton a week previous, and the England manager is hoping Sterling can take his club form into Tuesday’s fixture with The Swiss.
“His first games for City have been good,” the England manager said of Sterling, who currently has 16 caps to his name.
“I didn’t play him in San Marino to give others a chance, but he’s ready to go tomorrow and we’re hoping he brings his City form with him.”
“It’s a big year for him. He’ll have a lot of big years: France in 2016, Russia in 2018, 2020 all over Europe, and 2022,” Hodgson said.
“It’s a big year and something to look forward to, but at his age he has plenty more to look forward to. I’m sure that, one day, he’ll be looking forward to sitting here alongside me with over 100 caps.”
“We have the same aim for him as he has for himself and his club manager – assists and goals from that wide forward position,” he added.
And Hodgson believes there is even more to come from City’s new recruit:
“It’ll always come down to that. I’ve liked his assists and the fact he’s scored a goal early this season.”
“We don’t want him to lose that incredible work rate and tenacity he has, winning the ball back when he loses it. But the next step, this year he’ll be hoping to have more assists and goals at the end of the season.”
And even Manchester United striker and fellow England team-mate Wayne Rooney has been impressed with Sterling. The striker had this to say about his countryman:
“You can see he’s settled. He’s happy, I’m sure.”
“He’s got the move he wanted. He’s started the season excellently.”
“When you are going through what he did, trying to leave Liverpool, it can be quite difficult. But he’s a lot more relaxed and settled, which is good for us.”
You can watch England’s game against Switzerland live on ITV tonight at 7:45pm. The Three Lions passage into Euro 2016 has already been secured after the 6-0 drubbing of minnows San Marino last Saturday.
Do you expect Sterling to carry on his club form for England this Tuesday? Let us know your thoughts.
