The forward – who has been attracting all the scrutiny, from tattoos to timekeeping – gave his manager reason for encouragement in the 2-1 victory against Nigeria
Raheem Sterling might not have played here and would have accepted missing out. Gareth Southgate’s original intention had been to leave the forward out for the friendly against Nigeria as punishment for a tardy arrival at the national squad’s training camp last month.
Yet, in the context of the player coming “under fire from every other direction” over the last week, the manager recognised this was the time to stand by his man. The protective shield flung down around one of their own is starting to feel like an indication of England’s strength.
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