Raheem Sterling still deciding if he will return to World Cup as cops probe if same gang robbed three of his teammates
RAHEEM Sterling was yesterday still deciding if he will return to Qatar – as cops were probing if the same gang behind his break in also robbed three of his teammates.
The Three Lions ace was left distraught when his fiance Paige, 27, returned home with their three children on Saturday night and found his mansion in Oxshott, Surrey, had been broken into and £300K of watches and jewellery stolen.
The 27-year-old winger wants to return to the tournament to help manager Gareth Southgate but he and his family are still shaken up following the burglary, The Sun understands.
Now Surrey Police are examining whether the same gang are responsible for other raids in the last two years on Chelsea stars who all live within a five mile radius of each other.
Defender Reece James – who would have been in Qatar but for injury – was raided by a gang who targeted his home in Cobham, Surrey, in September 2021.
They stole his safe containing his Champions League, Super Cup and Euro 2020 medals.
Two other teammates have also suffered similar crimes in recent months, with cops looking into any potential links.
A source said: “Whenever high value raids take place, police officers will also look to see if there are any similarities.
“Did they break in the same way? Did they use the same car to getaway? Did they steal similar items in each robbery? These are all questions they will ask.”
Yesterday security was being beefed up outside the homes of all England stars playing in the World Cup, at the request of manager Gareth Southgate.
A source said: “Gareth has asked the FA to do whatever it takes to make the players feel safe. He wants them to be confident their families are looked after so they can fully focus on the quarter final against France.”
Leicester ace James Maddison is among those who have improved security.
Speaking from Qatar, the England midfielder said: “Raheem’s a brilliant guy and a brilliant character in the group. We’ve all sent him a message to make sure he’s okay at this time.
“It’s obviously difficult. It’s not nice and something I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. As a young man with a family of my own, it’s horrible to see stuff like that happen, but it does happen. You do have to take those measures. It’s just the world we live in, unfortunately.”
England play France in the quarter-finals on Saturday.