On Monday night, England produced a good display to defeat Spain 3-2 in Seville in the Nations League, with Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling the star of the show, netting a first-half brace for Gareth Southgate’s team.
Sterling needed the goals, as the 23-year-old had struggled to impress for the Three Lions in the international game.
A poor record for England
Raheem Sterling has been capped by England on 46 occasions, which is a lot of games played at international for such a relatively young player. However, prior to Monday night’s game, he had scored just two goals for the Three Lions.
That is a staggering statistic considering the number of goals he has scored for his club side over the last few seasons.
A different player for Manchester City
When Sterling plays for Manchester City, he is a different player to the one we see on international duty. The forward is an undoubtedly talented player who is a constant threat for the Citizens.
He looks so confident in a City shirt against every opposition, it does not seem to matter who he is up against. However, when playing for England he seems to go to pieces.
Sterling international displays and lifestyle off the pitch have led to criticism, so maybe that criticism gets to him more while in an England shirt. On Monday night, though, Sterling looked like the City player and not the one who has struggled for form with England in the past.
Brace can kick-start his international career
The two goals scored against Spain on Monday night may just kick-start Sterling’s international career. There have been question marks over the forward's commitment to the England team due to his poor past performances.
However, maybe now Raheem Sterling can kick on and start fulfilling his immense potential at international level with the Three Lions.