SANCHO THRILLED TO GET HIS ENGLAND CALL
YOUNGSTER HAS MADE A BIG IMPRESSION PLAYING FOR BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Jadon Sancho says being called up by England is the “biggest thing that could ever happen to a young kid” and pledged to make his mark on football like Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic has.
Fresh from signing a new and improved deal until 2022, manager Gareth Southgate doubled down on his focus on youth with his squad selection for the upcoming Nations League double-header away to Croatia and Spain.
Sancho was perhaps the most eye-catching inclusion, with his promising performances in Germany seeing him become the first player born this millennium to be called up by the senior team.
The 18-year-old is reaping the rewards of taking the path less followed, having made the courageous - if at the time slightly controversial - move from Manchester City to Dortmund last summer.
Sancho said: “It means a lot to me, especially my family. When I was a young kid, I always dreamed of obviously playing for my country. That’s the biggest thing that could ever happen to a young kid like me.
“It would be a dream come true (to make my debut against Croatia). I couldn’t ask for anything better than that.
“Obviously I just have to keep on working hard in training and see what the manager does.”
Sancho seemed a little taken aback by the media interest at St George’s Park, but not quite as much as when the call came in from Southgate rather than England Under-21s boss Aidy Boothroyd.
“I was a bit surprised, because obviously I’m so young so I have still got a lot to learn,” he said with a smile. “I’m just grateful that he’s seeing my progress in the Bundesliga.”
Sancho politely declined to talk about leaving Pep Guardiola’s City but was forthcoming when it came to life in Germany, expressing gratitude to the Dortmund fans and head coach Lucien Favre.
The teenager is slowly learning German but adaptation to life on the field has been rapid, thanks in no small part to their trust in young players – and advice from the likes of team-mate Pulisic.
“Obviously Christian Pulisic is another young guy, and I learn from him all the time,” Sancho said of the United States international.
“His confidence to just take on players - no matter like whether there are four or five guys around him, he still tries.
“That’s what he tells me off the pitch, ‘you’ve just got to do your thing, that’s why you’re here - you’ve got to make everyone understand you’re Jadon Sancho’.”
‘I’m grateful he is seeing my progess in the Bundesliga.’ - JADON SANCHO