COMMENT: We're always hearing about Gareth Southgate's relationship with his England players. His man-management. But for his status. His history. Raheem Sterling doesn't deserve this. Not even close...

First, let's get it straight. This column is no great fan of international football. We were. Certainly. The Euros, prior to it's initial expansion, were as good as anything in the game. But the watering down of elite competition has left it all just so, so underwhelming.

However, let's put the cynicism to one side and focus on the personalities. Raheem Sterling doesn't deserve this treatment by his national team manager. For what he's done for England. For the sacrifices. The garbage he's had go through. And on Southgate's watch, no less. He deserved far, far better from England's coach this week.

For the fourth consecutive England call, Sterling was overlooked. His form with Chelsea, apparently, not enough to warrant selection. Indeed, Southgate making it clear he has better options, with Jarrod Bowen, of West Ham, considered ahead of the 28 year-old.

"The team are playing really well and clearly there's some stability there," Southgate said. "We have added Jarrod Bowen in those wide areas, he's playing really well."

In other words, for Southgate, Sterling isn't good enough. But how would he know? Can he judge Sterling as a player in this current Chelsea team against what he can offer England? Harry Maguire. Kalvin Phillips. Eddie Nketiah. Even Marcus Rashford. They're hardly pulling up any trees. Indeed, some of 'em are hardly playing at all. But it's Sterling who's left the odd man out. And for this column, it just doesn't sit right.

After all, just consider what Sterling has had to endure as an England player. Of course, last season's World Cup campaign was interrupted by Sterling having to leave the camp after armed intruders entered the family home. But after checking on his children, he still made it back for that quarterfinal against France.

Then cycle back four years and just consider the farce around his 'gun tattoo' before World Cup 2018. It didn't matter that it was a tribute to his late father. Indeed, whatever the explanation, it didn't matter. The mob came for him. Demanding an apology. Demanding he be dropped. Pundits were even calling Raheem to have the ink removed. The outrage. The hate. It was palpable as much as it was pathetic. It was hysteria. Though eventually, as is always the case, the grift-for-clicks merchants moved onto their next target (you need only ask Kevin Keegan). No-one bothers Sterling about it now, certainly no-one has apologised.

Yet for better-or-worse, Sterling has kept ploughing on. Showing up for England. Always committed. Always consistent. Not always five-star, but who - beyond Harry Kane - in this England team can lay claim to such a rating? But this shouldn't be about form. Not for a 10-year international player. Still only 28. Still among the most recognisable and respected footballers England has. And still scoring goals like he did against Luton. Sterling deserves better from Southgate than a dismissive soundbite.

As we say, how can you judge Sterling in this current Chelsea team? Again, we can talk about commitment. Sacrifice. After all, it was Sterling who accepted that wing-back role under Graham Potter last season. He arrived from Manchester City as the flagship signing of that first Todd Boehly transfer window. Yet he didn't blink when asked to play out of position. It hurt his form. It did him no favours with the new support he had to win over. But he still did it. He still put the team first.

Which is exactly what Sterling has done throughout this Southgate era. So if you have doubts about a player. But he's a player who has given you so much. You call him in, don't you? You have him train in front of you. With your staff. With his fellow England players. You give him every chance to convince you he has something to offer. Such loyalty should cut both ways.

This column never bought into the hype of Sterling as a future Ballon d'Or winner - as the local press pedaled in his early 20's. We just couldn't see it. But Sterling has always been a player who belongs in that top bracket. Indeed, those stories about Florentino Perez wanting to bring a young Sterling to Spain and Real Madrid are spot on. Real's president, always a fan of English footballers, had grand plans for Sterling - on and off the pitch. But City's grip was just too great. Indeed, you can just imagine how Florentino and his marketing men are feeling today about Jude Bellingham and his instant impact...

For his status. For his achievements. Sterling is a player respected the world over. And you just wonder if English football actually appreciates what it has. Certainly, such a question should be leveled at Southgate. For the way he's been shunned, Sterling deserves far better from England's manager.