4. Raheem Sterling – If this had been written prior to Wednesday night, then Sterling would probably have ranked a couple of places higher but, as it stands, his sending off against the Ecuadorians gave Hodgson all the excuse he needed to start with a ‘safety-first’ line-up against Italy in England’s first game which will no doubt include the likes of Milner and Lampard in favour of burgeoning talents like Sterling and Barkley.
A talent like Sterling’s was made for a World Cup. Much like Michael Owen in ’98, you can sense that there was something different about Sterling’s performances toward the end of the season; you could sense his maturity growing, his big game attitude growing and his talent being honed as he mentally prepared himself for an all-out assault on the World Cup and, as a result, that elusive ‘world class’ status.
Sterling will still get his chance but it is likely to be when England are struggling to break down a well-drilled – but no less underwhelming – Italian side in their first game. When – not if – Sterling is given his opportunity, he must grab it and show the world what Liverpool fans have known for the last two years: here is England’s next superstar.
They will perform well,no matter what YNWA