Raheem Sterling has divided opinion at this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.Many England fans have rallied behind the 23-year-old following criticism from fellow supporters and the media alike. They won’t hear a bad word said against him because he’s tried his hardest.However, there are some England fans who don’t have any sort of personal agenda against the Manchester City winger. They just believe he could - and should - have performed better for the Three Lions over the past four weeks.That Sterling has failed to get himself on the scoresheet in Russia hasn’t helped his cause.He missed several gilt-edged chances during the group stages and knockout rounds and that’s the thing which has stuck in the minds of many people back home.But again, not everyone sees it this way. Sterling has received praise from others for his efforts this summer.The London Evening Standard’s Simon Johnson, for example, handed Sterling a 7/10 rating last week for his performances this summer, despite admitting: “Sterling’s finishing though was a disappointment and it is significant how often he was substituted.”
Mourinho: Sterling should not have started v Belgium
Sterling was again substituted in England’s third-place play-off against Belgium on Saturday afternoon, hauled off by Gareth Southgate for Marcus Rashford at the start of the second half.
But if Jose Mourinho was in Southgate’s shoes, Sterling wouldn’t have even started the match.
The Manchester United boss, speaking on RT, was heavily critical of Sterling’s performances over the course of the World Cup.
He believes Southgate should have started Jamie Vardy, Danny Welbeck or Rashford instead.
Mourinho did not hold back over Sterling's World Cup
“A little bit surprising for me is Sterling in the team,” Mourinho said.
“He didn’t have a good World Cup.”
Ooof. Sterling won’t be bothered by criticism from your average bloke in the pub or a bunch of kids on social media, but hearing that from Mourinho might hurt a bit.
The Portuguese coach added” “He didn’t have a good enough World Cup to be chosen for a match ahead of Vardy, Welbeck, Rashford – people with probably better condition from a physical and psychological point of view.”
Watch Mourinho's comments in full here (5:10)...
Now, as you can probably imagine, Mourinho’s quotes have caused a bit of a stir.
A lot of people think he’s talking absolute rubbish…
While others think he might actually have a point…
Is Jose Mourinho right about Raheem Sterling’s performances this summer? Have your say by leaving a comment below.