Raheem Sterling has not been selected for England's upcoming international games. The Chelsea forward has been overlooked by Gareth Southgate for the third time in row.
And Rio Ferdinand has launched a passionate defence of the 28-year-old, who has been one of the Blues' best players so far this season.
“Free my guy, free Raheem Sterling. I don’t know what he’s done, whose nose he’s put out of joint. Was it him coming back from the tournament or something like that?” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast.
“I don’t know what’s happened but for him not to be in the England squad is beyond me. I know there’s a lot of talent but if we’re talking form then he’s got more assists and goal involvements than Rashford and Grealish together.
“Or if you want to go: ‘has he been tried and tested at the top level?’ He was England’s best player at the Euros. That was a couple of years ago but Kalvin Phillips is playing on the back of a good Euros. Maguire is playing on the back of that.
“So if they’re playing because of that, what’s happened to Sterling? Free him up!”
