Where has it all gone wrong for Sterling and England? He was once one of Southgate’s undroppables but now the forward finds himself out in the cold AGAIN… is it an issue of form, competition or something more?

• Raheem Sterling has not appeared for England since the World Cup in Qatar 
• His form for Chelsea has been poor while his rivals have excelled themselves 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Raheem Sterling’s absence from the latest England squad may not have come as a complete surprise to most England fans, which speaks to just how far the previously undroppable star of Gareth Southgate’s side has fallen. 

In years gone by, the Three Lions boss had shown an unwavering support for Sterling, repeatedly insisting that he was an integral member of the set-up, in a manner we are now used to seeing with Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips. 

In the lead up to Euro 2020 – England’s most successful run at a major tournament in over 50 years – it’s easy to forget that there were calls for the then-Manchester City forward to be dropped. Calls that Southgate frequently dismissed.

Much to his credit, too, as three important goals for England’s No 10 at the competition reaffirmed his place in the side until the World Cup in 2022, not that there was much need to do so. 

Since then, though, the call-ups have dried up after a hamstring injury in January opened the door to his rivals, and with the long list of talented young attackers making hay in his absence, it appears England have moved on without him. 

Raheem Sterling was once again left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad on Thursday

The Chelsea forward has struggled with poor form in the last 12 months since joining the Blues

Sterling has won 82 caps for England and was previously one of Southgate’s undroppable stars

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Sterling had been a mainstay in the England camp for a decade before the start of 2023, making his debut as a 17 year old before adding another 81 caps and 20 goals to his name. 

As England looked to reinvent themselves as a young, vibrant, optimistic attacking team in the changeover from Roy Hodgson to Southgate, Sterling emerged as a focal point and a figurehead in the new-look side. 

But things have changed since then, and where once the forward was streets ahead of his rivals in terms of his club performances, the chasing pack has caught up with and surpassed the 28-year-old. 

Bukayo Saka has emerged as the undisputed heir at right wing, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford are in a two-horse race on the left – not to mention Phil Foden who is somehow struggling for minutes himself – and the rising prominence of James Maddison in the side adds yet another hurdle. 

There is no doubting his track record and the talent that he so obviously possesses, but can he really compare with the output of his rivals? 

Last season, Sterling notched nine goals and four assists from 38 games. Saka managed 15 goals and 11 assists in 48 appearances, Rashford 30 and 11 from 56, Grealish five and 11 – not to mention a Treble – in 50. The numbers are certainly telling. 

His form at Chelsea is ultimately not thought to be good enough to warrant a place in the side, and it is understood that focusing his energy on his club performances might be his best bet at a return in time for next summer’s Euros in Germany.

While last season fell comfortably below the par he had shown himself capable of at Manchester City, his performances have improved somewhat this term, yet Sterling is still not exactly pulling up trees for the Blues. 

Competition for places in attack is seemingly too fierce for Sterling to get a look in, with Marcus Rashford (left) and Bukayo Saka (centre) rising to prominence

The forward’s form has shown signs of picking up early in the 2023-24 season at Chelsea but is still well short of his best

A brace against Luton threatened to spark a run of form, and he has looked more assured as a leader in the youthful Blues dressing-room, but as many have shown in the last 12 months, it is hard to excel yourself in a squad that has seen so much turnover.

Granted, there is an irony to the suggestion form may be an issue given the recurring inclusions of Maguire and Phillips; between them, the pair played just 283 minutes so far this season – the equivalent of just over three games.

Southgate has contended on numerous occasions that Phillips and Maguire are shoe-ins given the perceived lack of depth in their positions, something that is clearly not the case in attacking midfield. 

There is of course the argument that the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Marc Guehi and Lewis Dunk are putting sufficient pressure on those two positions through weight of both minutes and performances. An argument that is well-founded.

With Sterling there appears to be more beneath the surface aside from his lack of form for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. 

Mail Sport understands that in the days leading up to Southgate’s recent squad announcement, there had been no communication between the player and the England boss. 

Not knowing exactly what it is that he needs to do to get back into the fold hardly makes the task Sterling finds himself facing any easier. 

So what does Sterling need to do? There are many that would say he has done enough already, judging by the precedent set for Jordan Henderson, Maguire and Phillips. Has anyone done more for England than Sterling, barring Harry Kane, in the last decade?

Harry Maguire (left) and Kalvin Phillips (centre) have retained their places despite little game time at their clubs

Sterling’s two league contributions still put him behind the likes of Saka, James Maddison (both six), and Phil Foden (four)

He has all the attributes of a Southgate non-negotiable; leadership experience with both club and country, 82 caps, games at the very highest level under some of the very best managers, goals, assists and numerous trophies. 

Even at his lowest form he has continued to feature for Chelsea who, although might not be at the peak of their powers, have invested north of £1billion into their squad, which surely speaks volumes. 

With communication with Southgate clearly lacking, it feels as though the best way for the forward to grab his manager’s attention is with a blistering run of form a la the Sterling of old for the Blues.

But having now joined the chasing pack behind Saka, Rashford and Co, he faces a new challenge in regaining a spot he held for so long – and he can’t count on his rivals slowing down any time soon.  

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