Why Raheem Sterling can be England’s not-so-secret weapon against Italy Brazil

Roy Hodgson, manager of England (R) talks with Raheem Sterling of England during a training session at the Urca military base

With the England squad snugly settled into their Rio de Janeiro World Cup training base, their opening fixture against Italy is now just five days away.

Predictably, even though Roy Hodgson’s selection did not spring too many surprises, the England starting line-up that the Croydon born manager should name on June 14 is the conversation on everybody’s lips.

The back five picks itself, that seems to be a widespread unanimous decision, unless your hate for Glen Johnson is approaching a personal vendetta. The same can be said for Steven Gerrard, who is assured of a starting berth due to his role as captain.

However, further forward there are several dilemmas that are yet to be decided. One man who had been backed to the hilt to be given a starting role was Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling.

His energetic and decisive displays for the Merseysiders have seen him fast tracked into the squad with a growing contingent of supporters rallying for his inclusion.

However, his bandwagon has slowed since the squad came together. He was utilised as a substitute against Peru but performed reasonably well. Likewise, against a robust Ecuador side he was introduced from the bench and set about his task keenly. But crucially, his wild lunge on Antonio Valencia resulted in a red card and he was subsequently banned for the final fixture against Honduras.

Those who pointed to his well mannered approach after the incident and reluctance to react to provocation missed the point. He was going to receive his marching orders whether he stood up and retaliated or not. The damage had been done. In a Premier League match he might just have got away with it, but a rash challenge on the world stage will see a card of the same colour brandished in his direction.

Despite his indiscipline, with his lack of game time regarded as the most likely reason behind his possible omission on Saturday, team mate Jordan Henderson believes the chain of events could actually help the Three Lions even if it has hindered Sterling’s starting claims.

“Possibly it could make him a secret weapon because he’s not played [in the friendlies]. Obviously, he will have been disappointed he could not feature, but in training he has looked very, very good, so he’ll be thriving on this.

“I think he’s outstanding, has no fear. For such a young boy he’s got great awareness and his knowledge of the game is really good. I think he can be a big plus for us in this World Cup,” Henderson declared.

Raheem Sterling of England in action during a training session

Fellow Red Johnson is also hoping others have ignored Sterling’s ability. “It would be ideal if people don’t really know what Raheem is capable of and underestimate him,”said the full-back.

In truth, secret weapon is a generous label, considering that the Jamaican born teenager has played a starring role alongside Luis Suarez and co at Liverpool, coming tantalisingly close to a maiden Premier League title.

He may have been absent for the stalemate against a physical Honduran side but his talent is now one of the worst kept secrets in the game, unless you missed the entire campaign from England’s top tier. However, he can still be a weapon of the not-so-secret variety.

Hodgson is clearly torn whether to play the youngster or not and by all accounts he has performed superbly in training. Every England player has hailed Sterling as a leading light as the squad put the finishing touches to their game plan from Miami to Manaus.

If Sterling has to settle for a place on the bench, he could arguably provide a greater threat from such a position rather than one on the pitch at the start. Excellent on the ball with an ability to glide and brush past players, he will find it easier to slice through opposition challenges when faced with legs that have been sapped of energy in difficult conditions.

Strong for his size with an ability to expose the inevitable gaps that will appear towards the tail end of a match Sterling will rival Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, when fit, as the best option from the bench. He can fulfil a variety of roles and with a number of his club team mates around him on the pitch, will show a willingness to express himself.

An ageing Azzurri back line will struggle to contain him while Uruguay’s far from mobile Diego Lugano and his namesake Godin will creak under his arrival. Costa Rica too, will not relish the prospect of facing the youngster.

Then, if England manage to navigate a passage through a formidable group draw, we have the knock out rounds. Untested against the cream of the crop from around the world due to Liverpool’s lack of European football, it would represent uncharted territory for Sterling.

But, not yet scarred from failure and without a tendency to over think things on the pitch, he often works on instinct, Sterling can be a match winner for the Three Lions.

England’s group stage opposition and beyond will be well aware of Sterling’s threat. Tactically, you need to be prepared when faced with such blistering pace whether from the start or proceedings or in the latter stages.

But, in the same manner in which Dutch winger Arjen Robben has relied on cutting inside and shooting with lethal precision throughout his career, knowing what Sterling is going to do is one thing, stopping him is another.