Daniel Storey: It’s not a redemption, Raheem Sterling has just silenced the ignorant

Daniel Storey examines the major talking points from the weekend's Euro 2020 action

Harry Kane celebrates with Raheem Sterling after scoring England’s third goal in Saturday’s Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine in Rome. Picture: Ettore Ferrari — Pool/Getty Images

There is a narrative forming during this tournament that Euro 2020 has been a time of redemption for Raheem Sterling. That is nonsense: He never had anything to redeem. He was treated apallingly by certain sections of the English tabloid media and has never let his country down. Gareth Southgate always considered him part of his first team and that trust has been repaid in spades. This is not redemption; it is a young man proving that those who sought to demean him were guilty of ignorance.

It is impossible not to admire the manner in which Sterling has resolved to prove those doubters wrong. He has been England’s best and most consistent performer in this tournament. While others — Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Harry Kane — have grown into the tournament and understandably taken the headlines after Germany and Ukraine, Sterling has been key to England’s attacking drive. He never once forgets his defensive responsibilities.