Euro 2020: Everyone in Germany is staggered by Jadon Sancho’s England omission

VIEW FROM GERMANY: Everyone is staggered by Jadon Sancho’s Euro 2020 omission and wondering what he’s done to lose Gareth Southgate’s backing… he can kick-start England’s misfiring front line if he’s unleashed against Czech Republic

  • Jadon Sancho failing to play against Scotland left people in Germany confused 
  • England man Sancho was kept on the bench for the goalless draw at Wembley 
  • The forward is waiting for his first minutes at Euro 2020 despite his club form 
  • Few were able to believe that Sancho was not used with the Three Lions toiling
  • He is currently making headlines with Manchester United keen to sign him up 

When 8.28 million Germans turned on their TV sets to watch England play Scotland on Friday evening, many of them were left scratching their heads.

The much-vaunted ‘Battle of Britain’ ended up a damp squib on the pitch, with many in Germany asking themselves the same question that pundits like Rio Ferdinand had posed on UK screens: Where was Jadon Sancho?

Already playing a waiting game over his potential move to Manchester United this summer, the Borussia Dortmund ace is also still waiting for his first appearance of Euro 2020.

People in Germany were left confused at Jadon Sancho not playing against Scotland on Friday

England forward Sancho (second from right, top row) was on the bench for the goalless draw

England forward Sancho (second from right, top row) was on the bench for the goalless draw

In both England games so far, manager Gareth Southgate has snubbed the 21-year-old. Not even in the squad during the 1-0 win over Croatia, Sancho watched from the bench on Friday as England laboured to a point at Wembley.

‘The Euros were supposed to be Sancho’s big stage, his chance to show English fans what he could do at Wembley,’ wrote Eurosport of the 21-year-old who helped Dortmund to glory in the German Cup last season.

Instead, Sancho has not played a single minute of Euro 2020 so far. Or, as German broadcaster Sport1 put it: ‘ZERO’.

The Three Lions were forced to take the point at Wembley after a limp attacking performance

The Three Lions were forced to take the point at Wembley after a limp attacking performance

Gareth Southgate made two changes out of five during the game, but failed to call on Sancho

Gareth Southgate made two changes out of five during the game, but failed to call on Sancho

‘England must have the best offensive line in Europe. Otherwise I cannot explain to myself why Jadon Sancho has yet played a minute at Euro 2020 so far,’ tweeted Sport1 journalist Patrick Berger on Friday.

And as many in England have already pointed out, the opposite has been true so far. Southgate’s men have looked blunt at the Euros, with just one goal and three shots on target in two games.

As England toiled against Scotland, few in Germany could believe that a 100-million-euro player with 16 goals and 20 assists last season was left on the bench.

‘Sancho would have been a real option in a phase when the English game was getting more static by the minute against a defensively strong opponent,’ wrote Bild, Germany’s most popular daily.

Sancho scored 16 goals and picked up 20 assists during his fine season at Borussia Dortmund

Sancho scored 16 goals and picked up 20 assists during his fine season at Borussia Dortmund

‘With his speed on the ball, the Dortmund player is a headache for defenders when he is in the right mood. He’s unpredictable and he can change games. The problem is that Southgate doesn’t seem to trust him to do so,’ the paper added.

On the pundits’ sofa after the game, 2014 World Cup winner Christoph Kramer wondered openly whether it might be a disciplinary issue.

‘It’s the only way I can explain it. Sancho is an incredible player and would help England a lot,’ he said.

Despite criticism being directed at his discipline, Sancho remains a big name in the Bundesliga

Despite criticism being directed at his discipline, Sancho remains a big name in the Bundesliga

In his four years in Germany, Sancho has often faced criticism for his discipline, on some occasions more justifiably than others.

He has also been the constant subject of transfer speculation, which Bild noted as another possible reason for Southgate’s reluctance to pick him.

‘Maybe Southgate is unhappy that the transfer rumours around Sancho are a topic in the national team,’ wrote the paper.

Fans in Germany are desperate to watch Sancho showcase his talents on the pitch next week

Fans in Germany are desperate to watch Sancho showcase his talents on the pitch next week

Yet that seems unlikely. Sancho may be making the biggest transfer headlines in Germany, but he is far from the first player in this England team to have been churned up by the rumour mill.

Either way, fans in Germany are desperate to see Sancho in action when England take on the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

‘The pressure is growing on England and Southgate, and people expect a different, more inspiring England on Tuesday,’ wrote Bild. ‘There is a good chance that Jadon Sancho will make his Euro 2020 debut.’

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