GUIMARAES, Portugal (REUTERS) - England forward Raheem Sterling said he was left "fuming" after his PR company issued a release suggesting that he would be captaining England in Thursday's (June 6) Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands.
The press release was issued on Tuesday by Colossal Sports Management, who represent Sterling's management company, saying he would be wearing the skipper's armband in what will be his 50th appearance.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is England's usual captain and would be expected to assume the role should he start against the Netherlands.
The statement was therefore surprising given that England manager Gareth Southgate rarely indicates his team selection choices ahead of competitive games and it would be normal practice for him or the Football Association to announce any captaincy decision.
At a scheduled news conference on Wednesday, Southgate said: "I don't want to discuss the captaincy. Harry Kane is our captain and if he doesn't play I have a decision to make. But if I tell you Harry Kane isn't playing I'm doing half of (Dutch manager) Ronald (Koeman's) job for him."
Questioned about the situation, Sterling said: " I woke up this morning fuming. I haven't had a conversation with Gareth or anyone in my agency. It was a strange one for me to wake up and see that."
Kane and Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson would be ahead of Sterling for the skipper's role, but they were among those involved in the Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday.
"I have to assess all the players who were involved in the Champions League final in Madrid. It was a unique game in unique circumstances. The players only arrived on Tuesday and there has been some tactical work going on. They are all available though," he said.
"It's been a different preparation. But there are always complications. We have shown incredible adaptability as a team over the last two years," added Southgate.
Kane is fit to play after returning to action following a seven-week ankle injury layoff but he looked short of match sharpness in Madrid and it would not be a surprise if he started on the bench.
"He finished the game the other day and he has no issues. I sit with everybody that walks through the door and you are assessing where they are physically and psychologically," Southgate said.
"The Liverpool players have had one of the biggest nights of their lives, and the parade after, so all of those guys have been through a lot," he said.
New kids strike for Azzurri. Spain wasteful but Enrique happy with chances created. Tite defends Brazil's poor display against Panama. Osaka blames complacency. Ferrer's 'special day' as he shocks
New York City with Kids - The 2019 Guide - Santorini Dave
Sometimes, it seems that everything goes wrong, despite our best efforts to make things right. We can do everything in our power to make something work, but life might have different plans. Many of us feel as though we have no control over our lives, and while that might hold some truth to some
Valencia eased into the Europa League semi-finals for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spaniards Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a resounding 5-1
Valencia stroll into last four with 2-0 Villarreal win
France midfielder Paul Pogba believes England's Raheem Sterling is sometimes treated differently by the British media because he is black and does not get the recognition he deserves for his
Man City's Sterling treated differently by British media
Copa del Rey: Valencia to face Barcelona in final after
BATE Borisov 1-0 Arsenal REPORT: Lacazette sent off after Dragun winner. The Gunners were well below-par as they were beaten in the Europa League encounter
BATE 1-0 Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette SENT OFF in miserable
With Silva, Portugal no more just the Ronaldo show, Football
AFC Wimbledon produced the shock of the FA Cup fourth round by dispatching Premier League West Ham in impressive style. West Ham were stunned in the fourth round of the FA Cup as they suffered a 4
'It's got the feel of the old Wimbledon': Downes and Hodges
Petr Cech backing young Gunners to plug gap left by Per Mertesacker injury - and keeper says Arsene Wenger won't buy for the sake of it. Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker out for five months with
[Image] Koscielny out, Jenkinson starts | How Arsenal should
Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal coach says Ronaldo can stay at the top for several years. Reuters - Brian Homewood. PORTO (Reuters) - Portugal coach Fernando Santos believes that talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo can continue playing at the highest level for both club and country for at least three to four years.
The FA have slammed England supporters who were involved in violent scenes in Porto on Wednesday night as 'an embarrassment to the team'. Three fans were arrested after violent scenes saw England
Violent England fans an embarrassment to the team and not
0 comments:
Post a Comment