Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has has insisted that Jadon Sancho can find his way back into the England squad but admitted the Manchester United winger’s situation as ‘difficult’.
The former Borussia Dortmund winger’s future looks uncertain after a public fall-out with United boss Erik ten Hag, insisting he had long been made a ‘scapegoar’ following criticism from the latter for performance issues in training. Meanwhile, Sancho’s last England appearance was two-years back during a 45-minute spell in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra.
Sancho had often been cited for his frequent lateness and tendency to sulk when not picked to start matches, which led to reports of Man United and England staff getting frustrated with the 23-year-old. However, kudos to England boss Southgate for attempting to give the renegade winger a boost of confidence before his side take on Scotland on Tuesday.
Discussing Sancho’s international future with England, the Three Lions boss said: “I think that’s the challenge for him now.
“It’s been the best part of a couple of years since we worked with him, it’s difficult to say exactly the position that he finds himself and where he is with it all.
“But for every player that’s not with us, there is always an opportunity if they can seize the form and have the (right) level of performances,” he added.
Sancho has been capped 23 times for the senior England team but has seen opportunities become far and fewer in between after moving to Manchester United in a £73million deal two years ago.
He had only one more appearance after his missed penalty in England’s European Championship final defeat against Italy in the same year with him since failing to reproduce his scintillating Borussia Dortmund form at United.
Sancho had been chosen to fulfil a role as United’s right-winger for the significant future, but encountered difficulties in settling down, which saw Ten Hag bring in Brazilian Antony during his first transfer window in charge.
The winger had endured a most challenging first campaign under the Dutchman last season and was even sent off to the Netherlands for a special training program to improve his physical and mental well-being. He has scored just three England goals since making his senior national team debut against Croatia five years ago.