Raheem Sterling dropped for moaning about tiredness…
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5) Diego Costa can’t find his Chelsea form at international level
Granted, the powerhouse forward did bag a goal against Luxembourg, but he looked like a man totally bereft of confidence in front of goal. For Chelsea, he’s been absolutely clinical so far – but the man in Spain’s red was a shadow of the striker that’s been causing havoc in Blue all season. Premier League defences will hope it continues…
4) Lionel Messi has forgotten how to take penalties
Cristiano Ronaldo is referred to by some as ‘Penaldo’, who claim that the Portuguese’s goal tally is unfairly boosted by spot-kicks. Ronaldo’s fans though will argue that at least he scores his – unlike his rival Lionel Messi! The Argentine magician missed from 12 yards versus Brazil, making it three failed attempts from his last four.
3) Germany are not invincible
The brilliant side who won the World Cup are now without Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker, and the lack of experience showed in their qualifier against the Poles. Germany fell to a 2-0 defeat, proving that they’re not the indomitable force many expected them to be following the summer triumph.
2) Raheem Sterling is 19-years-old
While anyone with Google would be able to tell you that England’s most exciting player is still a teenager, it’s easier to forget that despite being a professional footballer, Sterling has every right to be a normal, moody 19-year-old. The Liverpool man complained of tiredness following the San Marino match, and was rested for the trip to Estonia as a result. He got huge stick on Twitter, and replied in cryptic, sulky and sarcastic fashion. Sterling’s talent is unparalleled in England right now, but he didn’t endear himself to the public last week.
1) There is literally no point playing San Marino and Gibraltar
It’s a subject that occurs every time a footballing minnow made up of firemen and lawyers gets humiliated during the international break – but seriously – what’s the point in San Marino and Gibrarltar playing England and Ireland? Nobody gets anything out of it, except the strikers from the bigger countries who wet their appetites at the thought of a goal glut.
