Raheem Sterling can play centre stage for England because he splits defences as well as opinion

ENGLAND ANALYSIS
Sterling splits opinion but his pace has rivals running scared
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Tony Evans28 March 2018

Hands up if you don’t like Raheem Sterling?

Certainly, Italy’s defenders will not want to see the Manchester City forward any time soon after England’s 1-1 draw against them at Wembley Stadium.

Sterling has been the focus of much criticism from many quarters over the past few years.

The 23-year-old is seen as a symbol of football’s conspicuous consumption generation to some. His wealth is resented. The false suggestion that he once claimed to be too tired to play for England lingers for Three Lions fans.

In truth, Sterling is an intelligent young footballer eager to learn and one of Gareth Southgate’s most dangerous weapons.

Defenders hate players who run at them. Sterling is a dribbler. Southgate deployed him in a more central role last night and Italy back-peddled in terror every time he picked up the ball.

When Sterling plays wide, the opposition full-back has the sideline to help out, restricting the winger’s options. In the centre of the park, Sterling’s running becomes more dangerous; he can go either direction at a centre-half. The uncertainty and panic it caused Italy was impressive.

What makes the man who grew up close to Wembley so difficult to read is his body shape. Traditionally, the best dribblers drop the shoulder and take off. Top-class stoppers learn to read this movement. Sterling does something different. On the approach to a defender, his palms flick up, almost in a protective ‘hands-off’ position. “Don’t touch me,” he seems to be indicating. It’s very hard to work out which way his body is going to swivel from this quirky movement.

Photo: Rex Features
Rex Features

Italy hated it. Early on, he charged forward, survived a clumsy challenge that sent him to the ground and set up a chance for Jamie Vardy. The main tactic the visiting defenders employed to neutralise Sterling was to get physical. It did not work.

Shortly after, Jesse Lingard caught Marco Parolo in possession and Sterling was off again. Parolo put the winger on the floor once but needed a second hack to bring the England player down.

In Pictures | England vs Italy | 27/03/2018

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Lingard, another player who seems to split opinion, is an astute footballer. While the Italians complained to the referee, he took the free-kick swiftly, setting up Vardy to score England’s goal. The Manchester United forward showed a cunning ruthlessness that England often lack. His use of space was imaginative throughout.

England were at their best when they switched on the afterburners. Sterling and Lingard combine pace with speed of thought. It is a compelling combination.

Less enticing was England’s eagerness to play the ball out from the back. Their slow build-up suited Italy. To succeed against the better sides, Southgate needs to quicken the tempo. He has the players to do it. Sterling will be very handy in Russia.

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