Sterling Could Captain England In Nations League

By Max Wise

England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed that Raheem Sterling could lead the Three Lions out for their Nations League semi-final game against Netherlands on June 6.

Sterling has had an impressive campaign for Manchester City as he made 51 appearances across all competitions, scoring 25 goals, including a brace in last Saturday’s FA Cup final against Watford at Wembley.

The former Liverpool winger also took home a number of individual accolades after being awarded the PFA Young Player of the year award and the Football Writers Association Player of the Year.

Sterling has been vocal off the pitch as well, as he boldly came out to speak out against racism and the negative portrayal of black players in the media after being at the centre stage of a number of racist incidents in the course of the season.

Regular skipper Harry Kane is currently on the sidelines nursing an ankle injury, and despite his inclusion in the squad, it is feared he might not be fit enough to start the game, while his deputy, Jordan Henderson, will be involved in the Champions League final with Liverpool just a week earlier, putting his contention in doubt.

Should Kane and Henderson’s unavailability be confirmed, Southgate has no doubt about who is in the position to captain England.

'It's possible depending on availability but he is in that leadership group now,' Southgate was quoted as saying by the Mirror.

'We took that decision in the last couple of camps and he has fulfilled that role model brilliantly over the last 12 months in particular.

'You can see his maturity now with what had happened to him on and off the pitch. I think he is relishing that.

'He has risen to that challenge and embraced it and I wouldn't have any hesitation in making him captain if that was the right thing.'