EPL: I dreaded joining England squad, says Chelsea attacker Sterling

Chelsea attacker, Raheem Sterling, has said he “dreaded” joining up with the England squad in the past.

England are under huge pressure facing Nations League opponents Germany tonight after a series of poor results.

“I remember coming with the national team, there was a period when I first came into the squad it was really enjoyable,” Sterling said. “And there was a period where I actually dreaded coming.

“My mentality was, ‘OK no matter, good or bad.’ I needed to just focus on myself and not listen to what the outside world was saying. That’s definitely been something that’s put me in good stead. Not just here with the national team but away from football as well, to keep level-headed and focused and not listen to the noise.”

Now, with just one match left before England kick off the World Cup campaign, Sterling has revealed what has been going wrong on the pitch.

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“The manager can play whatever system he wants to play but when we go on to the pitch, we have to have that mentality that we are not just on the pitch to be on the pitch but we have to have that winning mentality.

“That’s the message over the last couple of days when the boys have been speaking — it’s getting more out of each other, push each other, take criticism. If someone is not doing something right then we have to push each other to try and get the best for the team.”