Raheem Sterling woke up ‘fuming’ after a PR company connected to him claimed he would captain England in their Nations League semi-final against Holland on Thursday night.
A press release, issued on behalf of Colossal Sports Management, circulated late on Tuesday evening which suggested the Manchester City forward would lead out the Three Lions to mark the occasion of his 50th cap.
Getty Images - Getty
2
Raheem Sterling was left ‘fuming’ after a PR company connected to his management team declared he’d be captaining England against Holland
There was no official confirmation from the Football Association at the time, while manager Gareth Southgate remained tight-lipped over who would wear the armband when he addressed the media on the eve of the Holland clash.
The press release, drafted by Purple PR, read: “The Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year is set to wear the Captain’s armband for England’s UEFA Nations League semi-final fixture against The Netherlands in Portugal, on Thursday evening, 6th June.”
England vs Netherlands: kick off time and live commentary
Getty Images - Getty
2
Gareth Southgate refused to answer who would captain his Three Lions side on Thursday evening
But Sterling insisted he knew nothing of the release and had not spoken to anyone, including Southgate, before Tuesday evening – revealing he ‘apologised’ to the England boss when he realised what had happened.
“I couldn’t tell you that,” Sterling replied when asked what had prompted the release.
“I woke up this morning fuming. I hadn’t had a conversation with Gareth or anyone in my agency, so it was a strange one to wake up to.
“The first thing I did after I came off the phone to my agent was see Gareth down the hallway, and I apologised to him for what had happened. I don’t know where that’s come from.”
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
gossip
Transfer news LIVE: Hazard on joining Real Madrid, Sessegnon to leave Fulham
gossip
Arsenal transfer news live: £12m bid revealed, Celtic ace linked, Spurs battle
gossip
Man United transfer news live: Signing done, top target named, Icardi bid rejected
gossip
Liverpool transfer news live: Coutinho 'asks to leave', Depay latest, Mane update
explained
Why Chelsea cannot sign anyone this summer - despite transfer ban appeal
latest odds
Liverpool 'favourites' to re-sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona
Protest
Why Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg is not playing for Norway at the World Cup
another chance
Peterborough sign player sacked by last club after admitting sexual assault
Southgate would not be drawn on who would captain his side in Guimaraes, given there are fitness concerns over regular skipper Harry Kane.
The Tottenham forward appeared jaded as he made his first start for seven weeks in Saturday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
Southgate refused to rule Kane out of the contest against the Dutch and would not give away any of his team selection in advance so as not to give Holland boss Ronald Koeman an advantage.
“If I confirm anything about the team other than that Raheem is playing, I’m doing half of Ronald’s job for him,” he said.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
- France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
- Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) – talkSPORT
- England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) – talkSPORT
“I don’t want to discuss the captaincy. Harry Kane is our captain. If he doesn’t play, then I have a decision to make. I’m not prepared to say whether Harry Kane is playing tomorrow.”
While the decision is Southgate’s to make, Sterling – who will collect his 50th cap at the age of 24 – said he would be proud to captain his country at some point.
“That’s something that’s down to the manager, not for me to decide,” he said.
“But if the manager did do that, it’s something I’d be proud and happy to do for sure. That’s up to the manager.”
Ajax fans gathered at Leicester Square prior to their Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur last night, April 30. Fans were using a number of smoke bombs, flares and fireworks while marching from Leicester Square to Trafalgar Square and then onto the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Shirtless Ajax fan climbs scaffolding to lead chants in
Netherlands vs England: Raheem Sterling 'to be named captain' for Nations League semi-final clash on his 50th appearance Raheem Sterling will reportedly captain England for Thursday's Nations League semi-final clash against the Netherlands.
Netherlands vs England: Raheem Sterling 'to be named captain
Liverpool fans love this part of New Balance 2019/20 home kit. Fans had a lot to say about the new design especially the touching Bob Paisley tributes to the 1982/83 season and is on sale in
Liverpool news : Liverpool new 2019/20 kit release date
Romelu Lukaku transfer: Man United forward wants to play in different countries and will discuss Old Trafford future this summer, agent says.
Romelu Lukaku transfer: Man United forward wants to play in
James Milner ordered Liverpool's open top parade bus to make a stop at the house of a Hillsborough survivor on Sunday so that he could show him the European Cup. As reported by the Liverpool ECHO, Milner, the club's vice-captain, asked for the bus to stop at the home of Andrew Devine as the vehicle
James Milner's incredible gesture to Hillsborough survivor
WAYNE HENNESSEY "did not know" what a Nazi salute was, according to an FA panel that cleared him. The Crystal Palace goalkeeper was pictured with one arm in the air and one near his mouth on a
Crystal Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey claims he 'doesn't KNOW
League One play-off final: When is Charlton vs Sunderland? LIVE on talkSPORT - free stream, date, kick-off time and more Mark Saggers will host live commentary from Wembley and to tune in
League One play-off final: LIVE and exclusive talkSPORT
Doherty on target as Wolves ravage Gunners Independent.ie On an evening of painful blows on the field, a jibe from the stands might have been the hardest thing for Arsenal fans to take.
Premier League highlights: 10 talking points from weekend's
'The greatest stadium in the world' - Tottenham's new home finally ready to open its doors Yet the stunning 62,062-seater arena, which will finally host its first Premier League match on
Tottenham Hotspur stadium news: 10 stunning facts about Spurs
Charlton Athletic and Sunderland face off in the League One playoff final penalties to Charlton in 1998 - a record Ross will be desperate to put an end to this weekend. XI from the semi
2010 Football League Championship play-off Final - Wikipedia
Chelsea. starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi is 'close' to penning a new five-year deal to stay at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.. The Chelsea Echo report the youngster will sign the long-term deal to commit his future to the Blues and put an end to rumours linking him with a move away in the summer.
Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi 'close' to agreeing new
fussboll.com/2019/05/16/chelsea-starlet-callum-hudson-odoi-close-to-agreeing-new-five-year-contract-at-stamford-bridge/
Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi 'close' to agreeing new five-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi 'close' to agreeing new
What Man City chiefs are planning to do if UEFA hand them
pumarsenal.com/what-man-city-chiefs-are-planning-to-do-if-uefa-hand-them-champions-league-ban-over-ffp-2/
Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi is 'close' to penning a new five-year deal to stay at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.. The Chelsea Echo report the youngster will sign the long-term deal to commit his future to the Blues and put an end to rumours linking him with a move away in the summer.
Callum Hudson-Odoi set to sign new five-year, £100k-a-week
No comments:
Post a Comment