Thierry Henry has defended Raheem Sterling, insisting that the Manchester City winger is being unfairly judged.
The 21-year-old has struggled to shine at Euro 2016 and was brought off at half-time as England fell behind against Wales.
Roy Hodgson is now under pressure to bench Sterling for Englandâs final group game against Slovakia on Monday and while Henry admits he was impressed by Daniel Sturridge's second-half display against Wales, Arsenalâs all-time leading goalscorer insists the City midfielder should not be viewed as the finished article.
âRaheem Sterling has a great future but he is not the finished article. People are treating him like he is the finished article,â Henry told BBC 5 Live.
âI was not the same player when I was 27 as I was when I was 20.
âSo the poor kid has to deal with the [transfer] fee, deal with all the stuff he has to deal with, but heâs not the finished article.
âYes, he cannot finish like he would be able to finish an opportunity like that [against Wales] when heâs going to be 28, 29.
âI wasnât that type of player when I was 20. I struggled. I struggled with life and I struggled with everything and itâs a normal thing.
âI think itâs a bit unfair in a way as he didnât say âbuy me for that type of moneyâ. Obviously the expectation is there. Did he behave in a weird way at times? Yes he did - but we all make mistakes at times.
âI donât think we was the finished article and he still isnât. I think heâs a good player, letâs see.
âShould he start again [against Slovakia]? I donât know. Because I think Sturbridge came on and made a statement.â