This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
England's Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley on Thursday was a significant game for several reasons, but one player who stood out was Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi. In an interview, Hudson-Odoi praised Raheem Sterling, who was dropped from the team for the game, as a leader and idol for England.
According to Hudson-Odoi, Sterling's leadership qualities and his commitment to the team make him a role model for the young winger. Sterling's positive attitude and willingness to take a stance on issues such as racism in the game have earned him the respect of his teammates.
On Monday, Sterling was involved in a clash with team-mate Joe Gomez at the St. George's Park training facility, which led to him being dropped from the team for the Montenegro game. However, Hudson-Odoi believes that Sterling's importance to the team goes beyond his on-field performance.
“Someone like Raheem is like an idol to me. The position he plays, and what he’s doing for club and country, is an amazing thing, which I will try to replicate myself,” Hudson-Odoi said.
Despite the recent incident, Hudson-Odoi is confident that Sterling will continue to be a key player for England. “Definitely. He’s very positive about what he does. Whenever he says something, he wants to take a stance and make sure everything is OK with it,” Hudson-Odoi said.
With Sterling remaining with the squad, he could feature in Sunday's qualifier away to Kosovo. Hudson-Odoi's praise for Sterling is a testament to the respect and admiration that the young winger has for his team-mate.
