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Ex-Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand wades in on Raheem Sterling tiredness debate
EX-MANCHESTER UNITED defender Rio Ferdinand has defended Liverpool star Raheem Sterling's decision to ask Roy Hodgson to rest him for England's Euro 2016 qualifier.
Sterling complained about fatigue the night before the game against Estonia.
The 19-year-old however made a big impact when he came on for the Three Lions in the 64th minute, as he won the free-kick that Wayne Rooney converted.
Though England won 1-0, Sterling came under criticism from fans.
But Ferdinand has launched a staunch defence of Sterling, who has been in irrepressible form for club and country in the past few months.
Sterling - tired, fair play to him. English players are normally too proud to do that unlike our foreign friends. #FreshWhenItMattersMost
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 13, 2014
For instance, Tevez would come in some days and sit on the massage bed while the team trained..."I'm tired"..match day - firing & energised
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 13, 2014
Either some real dumb heads on here or they just missed the point totally. Doing what's better for the team & yourself long term....??
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 13, 2014
With more rest at the right times throughout seasons Rooney would have gone into tournaments for England fresher 100%.... Too proud again.
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 13, 2014
Same could be said of Gerard, Lampard, JT, A.Cole myself etc-all too proud to sit out of training or a match with the bigger picture in mind
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 13, 2014
Going by many of the responses on here - because players earn a fortune they cannot get tired ???????? leave off!!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 13, 2014
Sterling - tired, fair play to him. English players are normally too proud to do that
He tweeted: "Sterling - tired, fair play to him. English players are normally too proud to do that unlike our foreign friends. #FreshWhenItMattersMost."
Ferdinand also drew comparisons to when Carlos Tevez used to moan about being tired when he was at United.
He added: "For instance, Tevez would come in some days and sit on the massage bed while the team trained..."I'm tired"..match day - firing & energised."
Sterling has already had a busy start to the season, and though he was rested in the 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa last month, he played the full 120 minutes of the Capital One Cup victory against Middlesbrough.