Raheem Sterling Confidence Level Reportedly Concerns England After Online Abuse

The England camp are reportedly growing concerned about the confidence level of Raheem Sterling due to the criticism the 21-year-old is receiving on social media. 

That’s according to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, who has reported that Sterling is “aware of the abuse he has been getting” during the 2016 UEFA European Championship following two poor performances in the group stages. Sterling was dropped for England’s 0-0 draw with Slovakia.

“Sterling is believed to be confused as why he has been particularly targeted and feels he has been made an online scapegoat,” added Law. “Following the opening draw with Russia, Sterling posted a picture of the Stade Velodrome in Marseille with the message ‘#TheHatedOne’ and appeared visibly low on confidence when he was booed against Wales and taken off at half-time.”

Here is a look at the post in question:

Sterling has been far from his best at these championships. Played on the left flank in the games against Russia and Wales, the youngster was unable to use the blistering speed and superb ball control that prompted City into parting with a British-record transfer fee for the former Liverpool man last summer.

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As the only natural wide player in the England squad, Sterling not doing his job to the best of his ability has left Roy Hodgson’s side looking a little one-dimensional in attack. Alex Shaw of ESPN has been far from impressed with the performances turned in by the City man so far:

Still, some of the criticism of the winger has been over the top. As noted by Law, a crowdfunding page was set up with an aim to raise enough money to bring Sterling back home from France.

“People think they earn loads of money and have no feelings—it’s completely wrong,” said England assistant manager Ray Lewington on the matter, per Law. “They are human beings, they feel things, particularly when they are young and trying to find their feet, and it wasn’t nice.”

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

As noted by football journalist Simon Curtis, Sterling has been targeted by fans ever since his move to the Etihad Stadium:

Sterling could still have a lot to offer England at this competition. In the last 16 they will come up against an Iceland side that will sit deep, attempt to soak up pressure and limit space in central positions. Someone like the City man, who can provide a thrust from the flanks, could be important to unpicking defensively determined opponents.

However, as noted by Tom Williams of AFP, when it comes to England fans, finding an individual to blame for the team’s failings is nothing new:

The manner in which Sterling moved to City last summer from Liverpool didn’t endear him to many neutral supporters, as evidenced by the way in which he’s been castigated up and down the country during the Premier League season. But on the international stage those issues should be pushed aside.

After all, for all the recent criticism, Sterling remains the brightest prospect England have. On the back of a season of huge transition and upheaval for the youngster, he’s not in the finest form at the moment. But it’d be a shame to see a player with the potential to be the crown jewel of this Three Lions generation be stifled by criticism like so many others have before him.