Chelsea star Raheem Sterling, then of Manchester City, started all seven of England's games at Euro 2020 where the Three Lions suffered a heart-breaking defeat to Italy in the final on penalties. However, the 27-year-old was an unused substitute in England's final World Cup group game against Wales and given the form of other players in his position, he could remain on the bench for the last-16 clash with Senegal.
Sterling and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka were the duo deployed by Gareth Southgate in the opening two fixtures. Both impressed and were on the scoresheet against Iran which then in turn saw them also start England's second group game against the USA.
But, after England drew a blank against the USMNT, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden replaced Saka and Sterling and both starred in the win against Wales. Southgate explained that the decision to start Rashford and Foden was because they could 'cause Wales problems' and to get 'freshness in the team'.
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Former England international Wayne Rooney had his say on the selection dilemma Southgate faces, explaining if it was his choice then he would name an unchanged team from the victory against the Welsh. However, Saka is expected to start in England's front three, while there is no clear word on who takes the other place out of Foden, Rashford and Sterling.
Although Saka predominantly plays on the right, of the remaining three, Sterling, who would normally start on the left, is the one receiving the least attention and both Alan Smith and Ray Parlour have given their thoughts on the attack England should deploy against Senegal, with Sterling featuring in neither.
Smith told Sky Sports : “It’s going to be difficult to leave out [Marcus] Rashford but that’s not to say he can’t. He’s one of those players that can make a big impact as a sub. I’d love to see [Phil] Foden in there again. And I’d like to see [Bukayo] Saka. Maybe those two.
He added on Sterling: “It might be time to pass the baton for this one game, we’ll see. He’s never disappointed or let Gareth Southgate down in the past. Of all those names we’ve been talking about, perhaps he’s been the one that hasn’t quite hit his straps.”
“My attacking four is very, very lively. I’ve got [Bukayo] Saka on the right… I’ve got [Marcus] Rashford off the left. I’ve got [Phil] Foden down the middle behind Harry Kane,” Parlour told talkSPORT.
Sterling has five goals for Chelsea this season but has struggled since the arrival of Graham Potter, with the former Man City man sometimes left out of the starting XI.
Rashford, Foden and Saka on the other hand have all been in scintillating form for their clubs and although Southgate is very keen on Sterling, this could be a big moment in Sterling's international career as he is the oldest of the quartet fighting the two spots either side of Harry Kane.
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