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.”
Liverpool ace Sadio Mane has downplayed speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid this summer. Spanish giants Real have reportedly made Mane, 27, a top target ahead of the summer transfer
Diego Godin confirms Man United snub as Atletico Madrid legend announces he will leave LaLiga club this summer. Diego Godin has announced he will be leaving Atletico Madrid this summer
Diego Godin confirms Man United snub as Atletico Madrid
hollywoodadviser.com/diego-godin-confirms-man-united-snub-as-atletico-madrid-announces-he-will-leave-laliga-club-this-summer/
END OF AN ERA The 33-year-old, who has been at the club for nine years, was visibly emotional as he announced the news at a press conference on Tuesday Diego Godin announced he will leave Atletico Madrid this summer at an emotional news conference at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday.
Diego Godin confirms Man United snub as Atletico Madrid
newzzic.com/2019/05/07/diego-godin-confirms-man-united-snub-as-atletico-madrid-legend-announces-he-will-leave-laliga-club-this-summer/
END OF AN ERA Diego Godin confirms Man United snub as Atletico Madrid legend announces he will leave LaLiga club this summer The 33-year-old, who has been at the club for nine years, was visibly emotional as he announced the news at a press conference on Tuesday Diego Godin announced he will leave Atletico Madrid this summer at an emotional news conference at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday.
Diego Godin Confirms Atletico Madrid Exit & Reveals Reasons
Manchester United news: How Shane Long's hot streak is putting Red Devils to shame. The Saints striker netted his fourth goal of the month to take his tally above United's for April.
Manchester United news: How Shane Long's hot streak is
Brazilian Defender Tracked by Leicester and Leeds Ahead of Potential £10m Move. 24-year-old Braga defender Bruno Viana has been linked with a move to both Leicester and Leeds, Transfer News.
Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Real Madrid want Hazard
Transfer news: Arsenal and Liverpool take hit as it's revealed Ajax target Nicolas Tagliafico favours Italy move; Wilfried Zaha: Crystal Palace ace ready to leave Eagles in order to play Champions League football; Chelsea transfer news: Olivier Giroud will be at Stamford Bridge next season, says manager Maurizio Sarri
Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Real Madrid willing to wait
Phil Parkinson EXCLUSIVE: Bolton manager reveals 'awkward
Jurgen Klopp believes Vincent Kompany should have been sent off for a late tackle on Mohamed Salah during Manchester City's dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool. With half hour played and the game at
Everyone saw how Mohamed Salah avoided a red card vs Porto
Liverpool vs Chelsea: Player ratings as Mo Salah screamer returns Reds to top of the table Having secured a 2-0 win on Sunday, Liverpool have gone back above Manchester City at the summit of the
Manchester United have reportedly outbid rivals Manchester City for midfielder Bruno Fernandes, with Sporting Lisbon set to accept the offer. Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias, as translated
Man Utd 'confident of finalising £71m Bruno Fernandes
Unai Emery did not have great resources at his disposal in the January transfer window but he did bring in Denis Suarez on loan from Barcelona to help improve Arsenal's prospects. And yet, the 25
Arsenal complete loan signing of Denis Suarez from Barcelona
Huddersfield Town have been sold by chairman Dean Hoyle to lifelong fan Phil Hodgkinson following their relegation to the Championship.. Hoyle took over the club in 2009, when they were in the
Phil Hodgkinson Agrees to Buy Huddersfield Town - Last Word
0 comments:
Post a Comment