Kid Sancho says a big thank you to star Sterling
Jadon Sancho is delighted that Raheem Sterling has taken him under his wing in the England set-up.
Sancho made his first competitive start for the Three Lions in Friday’s 5-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win over the Czech Republic, where Sterling was the hat-trick hero.
The Manchester City forward, who knows Sancho from their days at the Etihad Stadium together, is only 24 himself, but has acted as a senior figure to both Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
“He is a great player, he is showing all the youngsters what it is about,” the Borussia Dortmund winger said.
“I am sure he is going to go far in his career and I am just happy I am sharing a pitch with him.
“He’s cool, he speaks to me and Callum about what to do and what not to do and he gives us advice.
“It’s very good, especially as he is from London as well – he knows the background I’ve come from.
“He has been helping me a lot, but it’s not just him, everyone has made me and Callum comfortable and made us feel welcome.”
Sancho got to enjoy a nice moment in the second half when he was joined on the pitch by his fellow Under-17s World-Cup winner Hudson-Odoi, who made his senior debut.
The pair have been good friends for several years and Sancho was revelling in sharing the moment with him.
He added: “It’s an amazing feeling playing with him, I have always played with him through the youth, so it is nice to have a close friend with me.
“I am sure he will be proud of making his debut at Wembley, his family will be proud of him.
“It just shows that if you give youngsters a chance, they have got something to prove and Callum is doing that at Chelsea and he is in the squad because the coach believes in him.
“He was very good on one-vones and that is what we need in the England team.”
There could be another landmark moment on the horizon for Sancho as he celebrates his 19th birthday tomorrow, when England are back in action against Montenegro.
Sancho, who along with Lionel Messi has provided more assists than anyone else in the top five leagues for Dortmund, put Sterling’s opener on a plate for him, but was not jumping for joy at his performance overall.
“I think it could have gone better, my one-v-ones weren’t sharp,” he added.
“But I am just happy I am on the pitch and starting my first competitive game and happy to assist the first goal. I have got a lot of improvements to make on the pitch and in the next game against Montenegro if I get the chance I am sure I will do better.
“I didn’t think it was going to come quickly. It just shows if they give you a chance and you do well anything is possible and I am just happy to be chosen to be part of this team.”
Southgate will make changes against Montenegro in order to balance “freshness and continuity” as England attempt to build on their impressive start to Euro 2020 qualification.
Southgate’s men will line up in Montenegro for their second Group A match just 70 hours after wrapping up three points in the first, meaning rotation is likely in Podgorica.
“I think we need to find the balance between freshness and continuity, so that’s been on our mind most of the week,” the England manager said.
“I need to have a look at their game (a 1-1 draw away to Bulgaria) to finalise what we expect (from Montenegro).
“But we know, we have been there twice before and not managed to beat them, so it will be an intense environment, completely different to the challenge (against the Czechs) and a good one for us because we have to be able to adapt to these different situations.”
Southgate plans to head to the Balkans with just 20 players, having seen his initial selection hit by seven withdrawals.
Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier became the latest after suffering a hip issue in the first half on Friday, meaning former Republic of Ireland international Declan Rice could make his first start after coming on for his debut against the Czechs.