Raheem Sterling 'rules out England retirement despite latest Southgate snub'
The 28-year-old has been a shining light in an underwhelming start to the campaign for Chelsea, netting twice in the Blues' opening four Premier League fixtures.
Having been given a new lease of life in the final third under Mauricio Pochettino, many expected Sterling to be rewarded with a return to the England squad for the first time since the World Cup.
However, the winger did not do enough to get back into Southgate's good books and was left out of the Three Lions' squad for their upcoming fixtures with Ukraine and Scotland.
Instead, the England boss selected Phil Foden, James Maddison, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze and Jack Grealish as his wide options, although the former has since pulled out injured without a replacement being called up.
Sterling's omission led to former England defender Rio Ferdinand urging the Chelsea man — as well as absent West Ham United midfielder James Ward-Prowse — to hang up their international boots.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, Ferdinand said: «If I was Sterling, I'd be very disappointed bearing in mind what he's done for this England team when he's been in or around it.
»Sterling's probably been the main bright spark at Chelsea. It's just nuts. I'd retire. If I'm someone like Ward-Prowse I'd just retire. Say, 'listen, don't pick me no more. There's no point. It's disrespectful what you're doing'.
«It is to people like him, especially Ward-Prowse who's been putting up numbers for his team on a regular basis. What more does a man got to do to get a sniff?»
Southgate admitted that Sterling was not happy about the decision to
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