Paul Parker: Raheem Sterling and the social media problem

I’m delighted for Raheem Sterling.

His performance against Spain was the highlight from a deserved win – one that obviously doesn’t immediately make England challengers for major tournaments, but one that signalled serious progress. After returning home from the World Cup as heroes (despite losing three games), this is the first major scalp of the Gareth Southgate era.

But if we want to carry on improving, we’ve got to lay off our players. Sterling has taken so much flak from people who claim to know the game. Newsflash: they don’t. There isn’t an Englishman in the Premier League who can do what Sterling does for Manchester City and if we all chilled out, he would show that on the international stage too.

How many people have played in front of 50-60,000 people with another 40 million watching at home? Everyone judges simple chances as though the game is played under zero pressure in the park. He might make mistakes, he might miss opportunities, but you can’t accuse him of hiding. Imagine hearing ‘you haven’t scored in this many hours, days or years’ – especially from people who only judge your performance based on whether you put the ball in the net.

Anyone would get the yips if they faced the criticism he has. Suddenly that soft touch you intended turns into a heavier one, then the next time it pings off your boot for a goal kick. So the fact Sterling managed to show composure against Spain for two goals should be commended even more.

Sterling keeps his head down, seems willing to listen and learn, and doesn’t moan when he’s taken off. It’s had a positive effect on his game, just look at the transformation since he has worked under Pep Guardiola. We should be encouraging this sort of player, rather than slamming him for getting into good positions and not quite managing to score. Marcus Rashford is beginning to face similar treatment. They are aged 23 and 20 respectively. What have they done to offend so many people?

THE SOCIAL MEDIA PROBLEM

I thought newspapers were bad, needlessly detailing every aspect of Sterling’s private life. But social media? That’s a relentless stream of negativity, where you can send hate from 400 miles away. People are throwing stones over a brick wall, unaware of what’s on the other side but hoping they hit somebody. The school playground is now real life.

Do we really need it? Social media is breaking a lot of people and making a lot of idiots into stars. If you don’t engage with a critic you’ve ‘bottled it’; if you respond you’re forced into a debate with a fool. People are charging around with vendettas, desperately chasing likes and followers by bullying. It’s spilled over into all aspects of life and I wish it would stop.

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