Given the countries upturn in on the pitch fortunes over the last couple of years, the Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez coming together recently is an unwelcome blip on the horizon for any England fan.
The Liverpool centre half was photographed with a slight scratch under his eye following a canteen room disagreement in which Gomez reportedly mocked Sterling following the Merseysiders’ emphatic 3-1 victory over nearest rivals Manchester City at the weekend. No doubt fuelled by the two squaring up mad-match, it perhaps serves as a sobering thought that not all is rosy within the England camp. The fact that Southgate saw it fit to send Sterling home will back this theory up.
Despite the behind the curtain dramatics, England will qualify for Euro 2020 if they swat aside minnows Montenegro on Thursday. Whilst the Three Lions were dealt a narrow defeat to Czech Republic during the last international break, not to mention a harrowing away trip to Bulgaria, just one point is required to qualify for Euro 2020.
Whilst the Brave Falcons have impressed the rest of Europe in recent years (see their 1-1 WCQ draw with England back in 2013), they will not make an appearance in the international competition next year given their drab run of results.
Given England’s litany of attacking talent, it should be a predictable evening for the home side. The football experts predict England to make light work of Montenegro. With the last meeting resulting in an easy 5-1 win, England are 8/11 with a -2 handicap to claim all 3 points in the group encounter. Odds no doubt created with The visitors conceding 15 goals in their 7 group matches, claiming just 3 points for their troubles.
Not that Sterling won’t be missed. The former Liverpool winger initially underwhelmed in the England, indeed Man City, shirt. The last year however has seen Sterling morph into one of Europe’s most potent weapons. Raw speed has always been there, now there seems to be endless end product – unfortunately his ability to take a ribbing at the hands of his fellow teammate has become his downfall.
Rashford to step in?
A bumper contract matching the worlds biggest earners, much has been asked of Marcus Rashford of late, with questions marks recently raised given Manchester United’s turgid start to their Premier League campaign. The former wonderkid has clearly suffered under the spotlight, converting just one goal in 12 appearances for club and country between late August and early October – thankfully his fortunes have improved with superb displays against Norwich and Brighton, racking up a total of 7 goals in 8 games for both the Red Devils and England.
Such form with be most welcome in the England camp given the absence of their main attacking threat. Perhaps he’s not the only one vying for the position.
No doubted buoyed by the opportunity to get away from his club side in the wake of a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Bayern Munich, Jadon Sancho will also be more than happy to take the assist duties. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Maddison will do doubt be watching from the sidelines keenly.
Danger Men
Unfortunately for the Eastern Europeans, record goalscorer Stevan Jovetic will miss the match due to his recovery from a cruciate ligament rupture which occurred back in April. With attacking threat at a premium, the Montenegran’s will need the services of influential defensive midfielder Nikola Vukcevic. Having taken the plaudits following his club sides 3-1 victory over La Liga giants Barcelona, it’s clear the 27-year old has a head for dealing with big-match players, not to mention possessing the physical attributes as well as aggressive nature to upset England’s attacking flow.