Why is Jadon Sancho not featuring for England?
It's always one more player for England. That Pirlo-esque midfielder they're waiting for, the lack of a world-class centre-forward or centre-back, underachievement blamed on what the Three Lions don't have. The fact is: they have a talent right there, however he's either not in the 23-man squad or doesn't get off the bench.
| Sancho has not featured a single minute for Southgate's England in the European Championship so far. | Photo: Borussia Dortmund |
He has not featured a single minute yet for England in EURO 2020, he wasn't in the squad for the opening game against Croatia and was an unused substitute in the bore Battle of Britain draw.
He's also set to become the most expensive Englishman of all time, even though the negotiations seemed to be hanging on a thread since two summers ago, Manchester United look like they may pay a sum of around €100 million this summer according to The Athletic.
Not many English players are in the devastating form that Sancho is in, too. Sancho performed in the most pressured environmenmt, sealing a much-needed Dortmund Champions League position with his two goals and two assists in the final three Bundesliga games. He also single-handedly took the DFB-Pokal final by the scruff of his neck and dominated proceedings, ripping RB Leipzig apart with the stunning opening goal and then followed up Haaland's goal to make it 3-0 before half-time. Oh, and in the meantime, he also assisted the fourth goal.
Anyone watching and working in and around German football was convinced Sancho would be one of the stars in the tournament, he was starting to show the form of his life after a tough injury was helped in Dubai, Sancho was showing his best of himself.
So, what's going wrong?
Is it the injury again? Is it some form of disciplinary reasons? Some would say it is because of Sancho's poor performances when he has been given the chance for England. Most notably in a one-off Nations League game against Belgium. That was Sancho in the middle of a long season, playing nearly 40 matches and then rolling up to St George's Park. I think Sancho in a tournament environment will be completely different: a rested Sancho; a Sancho who does perform in the biggest matches. He has to be given a chance.
Sancho can elevate any team which can't be said about many 21-year-olds in football. He has to be given a chance in the toughest, most pressured environment and Gareth Southgate will see the real Jadon Sancho.
