'Chances are slim' - Struggling Chelsea star's Euros 2024 prospects according to ex-England footballer

For anyone connected to the Stamford Bridge club, it's been an unhappy state of affairs with the side currently sitting 11th in the Premier League and little hope of reaching any European competition this year. Fans have struggled to rally behind Todd Boehly and his new set-up at the club while many of Chelsea's stars have failed to find their first-class form.

One such star is Raheem Sterling who was recently booed by his own fans following a disappointing performance during Chelsea's 4-2 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The 29-year-old forward missed a penalty and sent a free-kick over the bar to leave Mauricio Pochettino's side 2-2 until extra-time when Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueka were able to provide the necessary goals.

However, one of Sterling's former team-mates has spoken out against the fans' reactions to the forward and has urged the Chelsea faithful to remember booing will only make the situation worse.

Ex-Liverpool and England international Glen Johnson was recently interviewed by Betfred where he was asked what he made of the Blues fans' treatment of his former Reds teammate to which he replied: "I didn’t like it. He’s still a Chelsea player and I understand the fans’ frustration, but the boy is trying. You can see that Raheem has no confidence whatsoever at the moment and all the booing isn’t going to help him. 

“There’s been a couple of times where he’s got into fantastic positions and then he’s really, really messed it up. You can see how low he is at the moment and hopefully the fans can get behind him.

“With the free-kick against Leicester City, you can appreciate the instant frustration from the fans because it was in a promising position, but booing him doesn’t help anyone. Hopefully the fans can support Raheem and then they’ll have a good player on their hands. When Raz is low on confidence, then he’s a completely different person."

The former Manchester City star's lack of form resulted in him being omitted from England's recent squad to face both Brazil and Belgium. With the UEFA European Championships just around the corner, all questions will of course lead back to who will make Gareth Southgate's squad and the 54-capped former England right-back Johnson believes that Sterling could well have his work cut out for him if he is to prove he should get on the plane to Germany this summer.

“I wouldn’t say that he has no chance", Johnson added. "But as it stands his chances of going are slim when you consider just how low on confidence he is at the moment, his recent performances and the fact that other players in his position are playing better than he is currently. Raheem needs to hit some form soon if he’s to increase his chances of going because England are rich with players in his position at this moment in time."

The 29-year-old winger has 82 England caps but has not played for Southgate's side since the FIFA World Cup quarter-final against France. Sterling began his career with Liverpool in 2012 before signing with Manchester City in 2015. After seven trophy-studded years with the Citizens - which included five Premier League titles and one FA Cup trophy - the Jamaican-born star headed back to London and has endured two troubling seasons with the Stamford Bridge club.

He recently rejected speculation that he would indulge in offers from Saudi Arabia this summer with his full intentions set on winning trophies with Chelsea next season.