Manchester City's Raheem Sterling urges England fans to show players love ahead of Italy friendly

Sterling has urged fans to get behind England
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Rory Dollard26 March 2018

Raheem Sterling wants to feel the love from England fans in the build up to this summer's World Cup.

The Manchester City forward has never had the smoothest relationship with supporters of the national side, memorably dubbing himself 'the hated one' in an Instagram post during Euro 2016.

The 23-year-old has clearly felt the jeers more keenly than the cheers during his 36-cap international career but he has appealed for the England faithful to rally behind both him and the team.

Wembley will get the chance to respond during the friendly against Italy on Tuesday night and Sterling believes an uplifting show of support would boost the side immeasurably.

"I feel sometimes there's a bit too much negativity. I would love to hear some positive notes going in, just to make the boys know that everyone's behind them," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"If you want your country to do well, as everyone says, bring a positive light into it. Make the boys go off to the World Cup with clear heads, knowing everyone's behind them, everyone's with them.

"We know what we can do, I believe what we can do, it's just having that support and that backing...you know, feel loved.

"The players that are there, if we get behind them and give them love you wouldn't know how much that would help them and boost their confidence.

"Trust me, I think you'll definitely see a better England."

Sterling accepts those who barracked him in the past were largely expressing their frustrations at a team they desperately wanted to do well, but warned such actions can stifle young talent.

Reflecting on his difficult experiences in France two years ago, he said: "As young boy, I was 20-21...around that age, I didn't think I was being treated right.

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"I had a rough year, my first year at City, a big club for a big transfer fee. There was a lot of talk a lot of pressure. I didn't think I was being spoken about in a fair manner.

"I think it's something we probably need to do a lot more in this country - try to help the players. I think at times we get judged a bit too early and that probably doesn't work in our favour.

"With the support we can give in this country if we do it a lot more I think you will see a lot more of the players coming up, the players who are trying to establish themselves and aren't quite there yet."

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