What a start for Sancho! He looked more like Neymar than nervous rookie

I’M NOT sure I’ve ever seen an England debut quite so assured. On his first senior start last night, Jadon Sancho performed like he was messing about with his mates down the park, full of freedom and flair, not inhibited one bit by the occasion. The foot-overs, the dribbles, the little drag backs: the 18-year-old looked more like

Neymar than a nervous rookie.

Talking of

Brazilians, the casual way

Sancho (right) rolled the ball into Trent

Alexander

Arnold’s path for the right-back’s goal reminded me of Pele in the 1970 World Cup final when he set up Carlos Alberto for his stunning strike.

I know, that’s going way over the top. Sancho is only just getting to grips with senior club football, albeit very impressively at Borussia Dortmund. He has an awfully long way to go before earning any just comparisons with outstanding figures from the past or present.

Even so, there was something a little different about Sancho that made you sit up. I tried to figure out why he looked totally relaxed in this new environment. Perhaps it was the route that brought him to this point, through an England youth system that has enjoyed great success, notably at Under-17 and 19 levels. Shining with these groups must instil self-belief at an impressionable age.

More than that, maybe it’s the atmosphere generated within these groups, more of a friendly club vibe than the stilted ambiance that has often accompanied England get-togethers.

If so, Gareth Southgate deserves great credit, for the England manager has been at the heart of this change in tack during his time with the FA. He has always sought ways to ease the pressure surrounding England games.

Sancho is living proof of that policy’s success.