Sterling says he misses representing England

Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling expressed that he deeply misses playing for England, describing it as one of the most incredible experiences one can have.

Raheem Sterling, at 29 years old, has not represented England since the 2022 World Cup, during which he had to return home due to a family emergency in Qatar. Following this, former England manager Gareth Southgate excluded Sterling from several national team selections, including the squad for Euro 2024. Southgate later resigned after England’s loss to Spain in the final, and the Football Association has yet to appoint his successor. However, it is anticipated that Lee Carsley, the Under-21 manager, will temporarily lead the team for the Nations League matches in September.

When asked about his feelings towards missing out on the England camp, Sterling candidly shared his sentiments. “Of course, I love playing for England. It is one of the best feelings you can ever have,” he said, underscoring his passion for representing his country. He admitted that watching the England games during his absence was a bittersweet experience, bringing him joy but also reminding him of how much he misses being part of the squad. “To see the boys out there brought me joy. To be honest, they were the only games I watched – the England ones. I love playing for England,” he added, making it clear that his connection to the national team remains strong. Sterling expressed his eagerness to return to the England setup, stating, “I am looking forward to getting back in the England set-up, that is for sure.”

Sterling’s aspirations for a recall to the national team are likely to be bolstered if he can deliver standout performances for Chelsea. Since joining from Manchester City for £50 million, Chelsea has experienced two seasons of underperformance. However, Sterling remains optimistic that Chelsea’s fortunes will improve under their new manager, Enzo Maresca, who previously worked alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Sterling believes that Maresca’s influence will bring a style of play that can maximize both his individual abilities and the overall team’s performance. “[He can get the] best out of me, the best out of the team,” Sterling remarked. He praised Maresca for establishing his authority and introducing a clear way of playing, even though some of the early results have been disappointing. Sterling noted that the team’s understanding of Maresca’s system is growing, with promising patterns beginning to emerge on the pitch. “It is early days so you can see where we’re looking to go. It is a learning process for the whole group and one we are grasping really quickly,” he explained, signaling his confidence in the team’s progress. As the Premier League season approaches, Sterling is hopeful that better times are on the horizon for Chelsea.

During Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States, Sterling participated in all five friendlies, contributing one goal and one assist. His involvement in these matches suggests that he is preparing himself both physically and mentally for the upcoming challenges, with the goal of reestablishing himself as a key player for both club and country.