Pochettino speaks on Sterling’s exclusion from England’s call up

Chelsea player Raheem Sterling made headlines after he was excluded from the England national squad ahead of the next international break.

Sterling will not be involved in the England squad next week and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino discussed the situation for players hoping to stake their claim for inclusion at international level.

The Blues manager urged Sterling not to feel disappointed but to up his game at the club level and show he deserves to be in the national team.

‘It’s difficult to talk because I don’t want to say anything about the decision, because Gareth Southgate is the coach and we need to respect his decision. All I can say is Raheem, Reece and all the English players have the spirit to go to the national team because they really love to be involved with the national team.

‘Sometimes they feel disappointed because they are not but the only way to change the situation is working hard with your club and showing you deserve to be there and respect the decision of the coach. But they are desperate to be involved in the national team. The decision is not in their hands, it is just in their hands to perform.’