adminENGLAND and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling is determined to score more goals for club and country. Sterling netted 12 goals last season – his best return – but already has seven since a £44m summer move to City. The 20-year-old is preparing for the “massive” challenge of facing Spain on Friday and France four days later. “My ultimate goal is to be a regular scorer not just for Manchester City but for my country.” With injuries having hampered national boss Roy Hodgson’s options, only five players in the current 22-man England squad can boast more caps than Sterling, who has 18.
Sterling has scored twice for England to add to the 29 goals he has scored for Liverpool and City. He has never managed more than his current tally by this stage of a season, form that has helped his club to top spot in the Premier League.
“I’ve realised that I’m doing well but can be doing better,” Sterling told BBC Radio 5 live. “Since I’ve been at City I’ve been working hard and not focusing on the price tag.
“I’ve been trying to focus on my ability and what I can do to show the country and world what I can do.”
Hodgson’s side are training in Alicante, where they will seek to extend their 15-game unbeaten run – including 10 wins from 10 in qualifying for Euro 2016 – when they face Vicente Del Bosque’s European champions. “This is the real challenge,” said Sterling. “We are going to be playing some of Europe’s best teams and this is where we get to see where we are in terms of the tournament in the summer.”
After meeting France at Wembley on Tuesday, England will next face Germany and Netherlands in March—Online
Online Reporter