5 problems for Gareth Southgate to solve ahead of Euro 2020

#4 Getting the best out of Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling in action for England in the UEFA Nations League

Raheem Sterling is a player who has often been made a scapegoat when England play poorly. There can be no doubt that Sterling has just enjoyed the best season of his career for club and country.

Three domestic trophies with Manchester City, scoring 25 goals along the way, he also won a host of the most prestigious individual awards as his efforts on and off the pitch were recognised.

He also broke a three year scoring duck for England in October with a spectacular double against Spain, before scoring his first hat-trick for his country in a 5-0 thrashing of Czech Republic.

However a feeling persists that he still doesn't quite deliver for England in every single game, with no game more evident than the third place play off against Switzerland in the Nations League.

Sterling was involved in everything that England did well in that game, but crucially he had forgotten his shooting boots as chance after chance went begging.

It might seem harsh in the grand scheme of things - England would go on to win the game on penalties - but imagine if he has another off day like that in the semi-finals of Euro 2020. On the big occasion you need your best players to take their chances and too often - for England at least - Sterling often misses.

For Manchester City that often doesn't matter - another chance is always just around the corner - but for England, in tight games you might only get one chance. Cristiano Ronaldo never lets Portugal down and England need the same from Sterling to truly challenge for their first major trophy since 1966.