Jadon Sancho has responded to Gareth Southgate ’s comments about his performance in England training as he edges closer to completing a move to Manchester United.
The Red Devils confirmed in midweek that they had seen a bid for the winger accepted by Borussia Dortmund, with only personal terms and a medical now all that’s standing in the way of the move.
That is expected to be done following the conclusion of England’s participation at Euro 2020, with the Three Lions having reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
Sancho has largely been forced to watch on from the sidelines, with Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka previously ahead of him in the pecking order.
But England supporters’ prayers for finally answered on Saturday when Sancho was selected to start on the right wing against Ukraine in the quarter-finals.
After taking time to grow into the game, it was arguably Sancho’s best performance in an England shirt.
The 22-year-old was a constant threat and consistently offered an out ball on the rare occasions when England found themselves under pressure.
He also linked up well with Harry Kane, Mason Mount and Sterling as the Three Lions cruised to a 4-0 win, booking a place in the semi-finals in the process.
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Before the game, Southgate had revealed that it was Sancho’s performances in training sessions leading up to the game which convinced him to finally hand the winger his chance.
“He's been really bright in training in the last ten days or so and with changing to a back four, we feel we had to have a right-footer on that side to be able to really stretch the game,” he told BBC Sport.
“It's been a huge challenge for all of our attacking players. We've got so much depth and of course you can't keep everybody happy.
“We're just looking for those moments where they're really fighting in training, where they're playing with aggression with the ball and he's really showing that.
“His profile for this game, we need one-against-one specialists for this fixture and he's got that capability.”
Following the game, Sancho responded to Southgate’s comments, confirming his manager’s claims that he had stepped up his performances in training.
“It's one of my happiest moments - my family will be proud of me and I'm just happy that the coaching staff gave me an opportunity to play tonight,” the winger told ITV.
“It’s always frustrating not to be in the starting eleven but I knew my chance would come so in training I’ve given it everything, 110%.
“I’m just happy I got the opportunity tonight and showed the fans what I can do.
“Hopefully I can get an opportunity to play again but tonight I’m just going to focus tonight and the boys are buzzing so yeah, it’s gonna be a lovely feeling when we get to Wembley.”
“We’re going to give everything and hopefully we’re going to get to the final for you guys.”
