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Southgate lauds ‘fighter’ Sterling for silencing his naysayers

Raheem Sterling - England
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Currently the Three Lions’ leading goalscorer at Euro 2020, the Man City man has been able to reward his manager’s strong faith in him.

Gareth Southgate heaps praise on “fighter” Raheem Sterling for silencing his naysayers with some bright performances for England at Euro 2020.

Sterling has played a key role in England’s progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, with the winger chipping in three goals.

The winger’s goals also came at decisive moments. He struck the winner in group stage fixtures against Croatia and the Czech Republic while opened the scoring for England in the 2-0 win over Germany in Round of 16.

Many had questioned his inclusion in Southgate’s starting XIs but the 26-year-old, who is not too far behind in the Golden Boot race, has more than justified his selection so far.

“He is a fighter,” the Three Lions boss said of Sterling, per BT Sport. “He has got an incredible resilience and hunger.

“He has developed over the last couple of years this real hunger to score, even in the games where the opportunities where the ball has flashed across the box earlier in the tournament, he has been in between the posts.

“He is finding himself in these areas and yes, his drive is fantastic, we know the journey he has been on with England and I am so happy for him to be able to deliver the performances he has.

“To deliver them at Wembley will have been really special for him and, as you said, the goals return is incredible.

“Absolutely incredible, really, but yes, please keep asking the questions because if we cannot motivate him everyone else will certainly be able to!”

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