Manchester City defender John Stones has come out to back his club and country teammate Raheem Sterling.
According to Stones, the kind of criticism that Sterling received during the World Cup was clearly over the top and his contributions to the team were undervalued.
Sterling was an integral part of Gareth Southgate’s plans during the Russia World Cup and him along with the likes of Harry Kane and Jesse Lingard were one of the key reasons why England managed to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
And Stones talking after Man City’s victory over Newcastle United has claimed that Sterling brings a lot more to the team than what he is given credit for.
Stones said: “Raz was unbelievable in the World Cup,
“I know he got a lot of negativity towards him but what he brought to the team, he terrorised defences and it got overshadowed.
“On a personal level, I was upset for Raheem because what he brings to his team, as we saw with his goal against Newcastle, is immense.
“It’s not just about goals, he creates chances, takes on his full-back – he does everything right and more and I hope if we do play for England that one goes in and that is that, and we can put it to bed,’ said Stones.
“If that happens, he can go on to show the world how good he is.
“He has such a great mentality, to keep coming out every week and doing what he does, and brush it all aside.”
Man City have made a decent enough start to the new Premier League season winning three and drawing one game but still they find themselves fourth on the table behind the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford.
Even though these are early days but almost everyone has their bets on Manchester City to defend their Premier League crown at the end of the 2018-19 season.
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