Daniel Sturridge backs Raheem Sterling by following Pep talk with another of his own
England striker says under-fire winger 'is one of most talented players in the world, not just the country. He'll come good'
DANIEL STURRIDGE has given Raheem Sterling a second Pep talk.
Sterling has already been received a vote of confidence from Manchester City with new boss Pep Guardiola calling him after the victory over Wales.
And now England team-mate and ex-Liverpool colleague Sturridge has backed Sterling to answer his critics after being blasted for his Euro performances.
Sturridge said: “I believe one day he will be one of the best in the world as he has all the tools.
“I told him that after training when he was working on free-kicks.
“Confidence is this thing that you have to overcome at times as you go through different phases in your life and career. And he is young, he is 21 years old, growing up and still finding himself.
“People have to understand he is one of the most talented players in the world, not just the country, and just let him continue and he will come good. That is fact as he has the ability.”
Sterling started against Russia and Wales before getting dropped for the draw against Slovakia.
The City winger responded by describing himself as the “hated one” on social media.
But Sturridge said: “It’s been a bit harsh in terms of the criticism. As I said, he is 21, someone who has performed at the highest level for the last few years. Also for the games he’s played for England he’s not performed as badly as people have made out.
“He has done quite well to be fair and it is important for people to understand he will come good. I can’t wait to see him put a smile on my face.”
Sturridge believes he is in a good place to advise Sterling after his own career in which his attitude and injury record have been questioned.
He said: “I’ve had to deal with different things in my career, ups and downs.
“Raheem is one of the strongest; he has a thick skin in terms of how he is as a person. He doesn’t worry too much about what people say.
“Those are the things I like to talk to him about as well. He has to worry about his game and that is it.
“That is all he ever does. He works so hard on the training field, he is one of the most talented young players in the world and he’s 21.
“There is expectation on him.
“When you look around the world I don’t think you can name many at 21 who have done as many things and played so many games in the first team as Raheem has.
“He is an English player and we have to groom him, we have to nurture him. We have to help him become one of the best players in the world.”
