Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne believes Raheem Sterling has been subjected to unfair criticism and insists his club team-mate is a “very good guy”.
Sterling courted controversy earlier this month when he was pictured with a tattoo of a gun on his leg after arriving late to England’s World Cup training camp at St George’s Park.
The 23-year-old apologised to his England team-mates for his late arrival and was backed by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate over his tattoo, after explaining its “deeper meaning”.
Sterling insists his preparation for the World Cup has been unaffected by the incidents and De Bruyne believes his club team-mate is placed under unfair scrutiny while away on international duty.
“Raheem is an unbelievable player,” said De Bruyne. “When he plays for England I don’t know what happens but there is always criticism about Raheem and I don’t know why.
“He’s a very good guy, he’s one of my guys and we’ve been together since day one. We have a good chemistry, we play well together and he’s only 23.
“I don’t know many guys that can show that capability of playing at that age in the Premier League.”