Raheem Sterling hungry to end three-year goal drought for England but insists he is more worried about being a team player
Striker has netted 46 times for Man City since he last scored for the Three Lions but claims he is a more mature and confident player now on the international stage
RAHEEM STERLING last scored an England goal the day after Jurgen Klopp was appointed Liverpool manager.
Yes that’s how long ago it was.
He got the second in a 2-0 win over Estonia at Wembley on October 9, 2015 — and it was only Sterling’s second strike for the Three Lions.
While the Manchester City forward has put in some important displays since, he has now gone 27 internationals without finding the net.
And that is odd considering that time he has found the net 46 times for City, four of them this season.
It certainly overshadows Harry Kane’s six-game goal drought but Sterling is on a mission to rediscover his scoring touch for England — hopefully against Spain tonight.
Only 23, and already with 45 caps, Sterling looks certain to remain a key player for this country.
He said: “The main thing now is to keep trying to be a goal threat.
“When I was a bit younger, I wasn’t too interested in scoring goals. I was all about looking nice or trying to look nice and show people I’ve got a lot of ability.
“But now I’ve started to realise that no one remembers the nice stuff you do on the pitch, it’s about the effectiveness and what you do for your team.
"As I’m growing and developing, I understand that now and I need to keep that going, especially with the national team because I need to get these goals going.
“I think I’m probably more driven now. To be able to get on the end of things, being in the box a lot more.
“Before I was going wide, trying to beat a player and now I’m trying to get on the end of stuff, being around for scraps and trying to make goals for myself.
“I’m much more confident when I’m in and around the penalty area now so I feel goals will come for England as they have been doing for City.”
Aware of Kane having gone half a dozen games without scoring for the second time in his England career, Sterling added: “It’s one of those things where, even like myself because I haven’t scored for a while, you always wait for that moment and sometimes the chances will come.
“You have to keep your positivity, keep getting into the box. I had one chance in the first half against Croatia where the defender got there and you just have to keep being persistent.
“We had some good chances but the goals will come and I’m sure of that. I believe in myself.
“Having Marcus Rashford alongside in the front line is really helpful as well with his pace and ability on the ball. Hopefully against Spain we can make it work.”
England certainly wasted some chances in Friday’s goalless draw against Croatia in Rijeka.
And arguably the most encouraging aspect of the night was that cameo from 18-year-old Jadon Sancho as a substitute.
Dortmund teen Sancho, who joined the Bundesliga club from the Etihad in 2017, is a player Sterling has a lot of time for.
The ex-Liverpool man added: “Jadon is a really good talent and someone I’ve thought highly of since the first time I saw him at Manchester City when he was training with us in pre-season.
“His work ethic and what he does with the ball. For someone so young to back themselves to go abroad is a credit to them.
“I’m really happy to see him kicking on now, he’s on England duty with us and hopefully he can be for the long while.
“To go abroad so young and back yourself, that shows a lot about the person. He could have taken the easy route and stayed at City but he saw himself developing better.
“You have to judge your own situation and he did that perfectly — all credit to him.
“He’s knuckled down in Germany and, when you’re that age, it’s probably something you need, to have that seclusion and be by yourself and concentrate solely on football. I’m really happy for him.”
But what has Sancho been like in training for ?
Sterling added: “When everyone comes in for the first time, they’re always a bit quiet.
"But I know him really well and he’s someone that is really modest but when he’s on the field he wants to express his ability.
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“I’m really happy for him and I’m sure he can keep this level and progress up.”
Now, the mission is to deliver a decent result against Spain.
While many fans may not be interested in the Uefa Nations League, if England finish bottom of the group it affects which pot they are in for December’s Euro 2020 qualifying draw in Dublin.
Sterling said: “Against Spain, I’d say we have to dominate the ball even though it will be a tough task.
“Against teams like that you can’t give the ball away too cheaply because they will make you run.”