Jadon Sancho grateful for England team-mate Raheem Sterling’s guidance
The Borussia Dortmund winger made his first competitive start for his country on Friday.
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 that 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 and I am just happy that everyone is doing well.
“It just shows that if you give youngsters a chance, they have got something to prove and Callum is doing that at Chelsea and that is why he is in the squad because the coach believes in him.
“He was very good on one v ones 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 on Monday, 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 that 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.”
