Raheem Sterling dropped from England squad with Eberechi Eze called up by Gareth Southgate

Raheem Sterling is the biggest high-profile victim for Gareth Southgate’s England side for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.

The Three Lions boss has decided to leave the Chelsea winger out of the squad for next month’s clashes with Malta and North Macedonia after a disappointing debut season at Stamford Bridge.

Mail Sport reported yesterday that Southgate may be looking to omit Sterling from the squad, after a season which has been plagued by numerous injuries, managerial changes at Chelsea and an incident at his Surrey home that saw him return from the World Cup.

Southgate’s squad selection at 2pm confirmed Sterling had been left out of the squad, with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze coming on as his replacement.

Eze could be set to make his England debut, two years after Southgate originally planned to do so before the 24-year-old suffered a serious Achilles injury.

Sterling endured a frustrating first season at Chelsea which led to his omission

Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze meanwhile was rewarded with a Southgate call-up

After recovering from injury, it is understood Eze was selected in Southgate’s 55-man provisional squad for last year’s World Cup in Qatar but did not make the final cut .

Going off of recent form, it’s perhaps no surprise that Eze was included on Sterling.

Eze has played a huge role in helping Crystal Palace avoid relegation by scoring six goals in his last eight Premier League appearances.

Meanwhile, Sterling has scored just twice in the top flight since New Year’s Day – thanks to his brace against Nottingham Forest last week.

Southgate has likely considered the struggles Sterling has faced in recent months when making a final decision on his squad.

Southgate and Sterling have developed a close bond during their international collaboration.

The pair likely discussed whether or not the 28-year-old should make the squad for the upcoming games ahead of Wednesday’s announcement and jointly agreed on a course of action.

Eze has scored six goals in Crystal Palace’s last eight Premier League goals – playing a huge role in helping them pull away from the relegation zone over the past two months

Southgate has not been opposed to omitting key players in the past if he feels a rest would benefit them in the long run

There is no definitive indication as to whether Sterling will be involved in Southgate’s squad, but the England boss has shown in the past that he is not averse to omitting key players if he feels that a rest would benefit them in the long run.

The England manager did not include vice-captain Jordan Henderson in last summer’s squad for UEFA Nations League matches, saying he simply wanted to give the midfielder a rest after a grueling season .

Henderson then played a key role for England at the World Cup in Qatar.