Jadon Sancho was one of the most notable absentees from Thursday's England squad announcement, casting doubts as to whether he’ll be on the plane to Qatar in just two months' time.
Gareth Southgate named a 28-strong list of players who look to be leading the way for the World Cup, but those left out clearly have work to do between now and until the squad deadline on November 13.
After making his decision, Southgate made it clear that those who missed out, like Sancho, still had a shot of selection for the showpiece event in November: "There were certain players we wanted to keep involved this time," said Southgate on Thursday. "But that said, it doesn't mean that this is the end for some of the others who aren't involved."
It’s been 12 months since Sancho last featured for the national team, and he wasn’t shy in discussing his disappointment on Thursday night following United’s 2-0 Europa League win against Sheriff.
"It is disappointing not to get a call-up but I have to keep working hard and hopefully I do get the call-up for the World Cup," the 22-year-old said afterwards. "I just have to focus on myself and carry on working hard."
Sancho got himself on the scoresheet in Thursday’s clash, superbly finishing an excellent attacking move by Erik ten Hag’s side. That was his third goal across his last six appearances, as many as he scored in his previous 24 matches combined.
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The signs indicate that the former Dortmund attacker is really starting to turn a corner under Ten Hag, and there’s a genuine feeling that based on his form so far this season, he’s pretty unfortunate to have not made the squad this time around.
Especially when you take into account that Sancho’s goal tally betters most of his England peers who have made the cut. Chelsea ’s Raheem Sterling for example is the only player to have scored more than him so far in the league with three goals.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka has found the net just once, as has Man City’s Phil Foden while Jack Grealish, West Ham ’s Jarrod Bowen and Chelsea's Mason Mount are yet to get off the mark in the Premier League. The United man is also bettering most in some key attacking metrics too, for example only Foden has completed more open-play Premier League passes leading to a shot on goal than Sancho (15).
Additionally, both Grealish and Mount are struggling for form and finding it difficult to nail down a spot in their side’s starting XI.
Perhaps Sancho’s issue is that he is still trying to shake off the fallout from last season where the 22-year-old endured a difficult first campaign at Old Trafford following his £73million switch.
He wasn’t the only one with many other of United’s key stars struggling as the club changed managers and failed to secure any real consistency both in results and performances. Ten Hag though has realigned the whole squad and is placing down clear foundations and principles that are aiding the performances of the team’s biggest stars.
For this reason, expect Sancho’s strong start to the season to continue, and if it does, it’ll be tough for Southgate to bypass him again when he comes to selecting his final World Cup squad in November.
