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Topics: Chelsea, Raheem Sterling, England, Premier League
Daniel Marland
Raheem Sterling has been told he's 'not a consideration' for Gareth Southgate's England squad while in his current Chelsea form.
The 27-year-old played 63 minutes of Chelsea's 4-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday afternoon, struggling in his new role as a wing-back.
Sterling was originally Chelsea's marquee summer signing under Thomas Tuchel, who has been a fan of the player for some time.
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Tuchel has since been sacked and replaced by Graham Potter. He's been tasked with evolving the Stamford Bridge outfit's style of play, which has seen Sterling struggle.
Sterling is a favourite of Southgate's and he made the Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament after helping England reach the final.
Blues legend Pat Nevin believes his place on the Three Lions plane heading for Qatar later this month is in danger, however.
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Nevin explained after watching the game for BBC Radio Five Live: "I'm watching Raheem Sterling right now and I've said that Graham Potter has got the best from every player since he has been there, with one exception. Raheem Sterling.
"If he keeps playing the way he is right now, he's not even a consideration for the World Cup.
"He is having a really really bad time and today he is having an absolutely terrible game."
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Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City after becoming disillusioned with his gametime under Pep Guardiola.
He started 23 games in all competitions as City won the Premier League for a fourth time in five years but he was dropped for the big occasions.
He did not start either leg of City's Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid and only started six of their final 11 Premier League games.
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"Everyone wants to feel wanted, football is no different," Sterling told Sky Sports shortly after the transfer was announced.
"When you play your heart out, sacrifice some of your kids' birthdays, and then get treated in a certain way, it's disappointing.
"At the time I was fuming, raging, but it's gone, it's in the past and I can only focus on the present, which is now, here at Chelsea, and the opportunity I've got here to go out and showcase my talents once again."