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Gareth Southgate explains why Raheem Sterling was left out of the England team.
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Southgate speaks about the inclusion of Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker
Gareth Southgate has disclosed that Raheem Sterling did not make his 25-man England squad for the March international break to due fitness concerns.
Sterling has had a challenging first season at his new club Chelsea. Under Graham Potter, he struggled mightily with form and playing time.
Yet under Southgate, Sterling has consistently been one of the best performers at the international level, especially in competitions when England relied on his goal-scoring prowess.
When Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling missed his team’s most recent victory over Leicester due to a hamstring strain, the England manager confirmed in his squad announcement news conference that Sterling’s omission is not due to form but rather fitness.
“Raheem is not fit. I would have selected him if he was,” Southgate confirmed.
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Southgate also spoke about including Kyle Walker and Ivan Toney. Walker is being investigated by the police for indecent exposure, while Toney is being investigated for potential violations of FA betting regulations.
On Toney, Southgate said: “He is playing for his club and available for them. There hasn’t been a trial or any judgement so I don’t know on what basis we wouldn’t pick him.
“Ivan has been consistent across the season. He is playing really well. I like his presence in games. I saw his game against Arsenal where he was outstanding and he deserves his opportunity.”
The Three Lions manager stated that there was no ‘conclusive evidence’ that would lead to Walker being left out of the squad: “It is a complicated situation and I have spoken at length with him. There is no conclusive evidence to leave him out at this stage.
“I have to be very careful not to be the moral judge on things. We want him with us and fell it is the right thing to do. When you are an England international there is an even higher bar on how your conduct yourself.”