Jordan Pickford told his England press conference that reported Arsenal and Tottenham target, Raheem Sterling, has had an ‘outstanding’ career.
The 26-year-old has been a standout performer for England at Euro 2020 this summer, scoring three goals as the Three Lions are at the quarter-final stages.
A career that started on Merseyside and is now flourishing in Manchester, Sterling has been one of the best players in the Premier League in recent years.
Although, question marks were put over his head last season, which perhaps suggests why Arsenal are trying to lure him to the Emirates and Man City have seemingly offered him to Spurs.
Either way, whilst all that talk takes place off the field, Sterling is being loud and clear on the pitch as he continues to shine in England colours.
And Pickford lauded his teammate, who has gone from being a teenager lacking that cutting-edge to someone who has added a lot more precision in front of goal down the years.
“I have known Raheem for a long time,” said Pickford. “U16’s victory shield, I think me and Raheem were together in that squad.
“His career has been outstanding. He is just the same lad that he was when he was 16.
“He is great to have around the place. He is vocal. He’s a leader on the pitch. Four (three) goals now and he has been brilliant.”
England don’t have a better chance of lifting some silverware than they do now, starting with a showdown with Ukraine in Rome at the weekend.
If they manage to see past them then it’s either the Czech Republic or Denmark in the semi-finals.
And given that the Three Lions haven’t reached a final since 1966, there is no better opportunity for Gareth Southgate and his boys to end years and years of hurt.
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