Theo Walcott says he would start Raheem Sterling in England’s first game of the World Cup.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Walcott included the Chelsea forward in his favoured Three Lions XI for the opener against Iran.
Sterling’s possible inclusion has divided many people.
Those who have picked the 27-year-old mainly recall his previous performances at major tournaments.
He was excellent at the European Championships last summer, and played a prominent part in the run to the 2018 World Cup semi-final.
In the camp calling for Sterling’s omission from Gareth Southgate’s 11, they point towards his poor club form this season.
Raheem’s rocky Chelsea start
It’s generally been a struggle for the attacker since swapping Manchester City for Stamford Bridge.
A bright beginning faded relatively quickly, with Thomas Tuchel replaced by Graham Potter after only a handful of games.
Potter’s insistence on switching Sterling’s position hasn’t exactly helped player nor manager.
It is for this reason that Chelsea’s new recruit might be out of favour for Qatar compared to Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford or Phil Foden.
Yet, Walcott backed his fellow wide man to make the line-up against Iran.
“I’ll go for Sterling. I just feel like he’s always done so well in an England shirt,” said the Southampton star.
“I know there’s a lot of players in form like Rashford. It’s a game where you could try these people but I feel like the first game you want to have people with experience in tournament football.”
Sterling has shown up for England
Sterling certainly boats a strong CV when international competitions are concerned.
This will be his third World Cup, having competed in 2014 and 2018.
He also appeared at the 2016 and 2020 Euros, sandwiching several Nations League campaigns.
Due to his longevity in an England shirt, Chelsea’s number 17 is the most capped player of the current squad with 79.
Such knowledge of the barmy landscape that is the World Cup might just be what Southgate requires.
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