Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has named the reason Jadon Sancho got the nod over Jack Grealish in the England line-up.
Arsene Wenger has suggested Jadon Sancho’s ‘incisive dribbling’ was the reason he started ahead of Jack Grealish in the England line-up.
Sancho made his first start in the European Championship on Saturday as England faced Ukraine in the quarter-finals, just two days after his €85 million transfer to Manchester United was confirmed.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate favored the 21-year-old down the right flank despite Grealish’s impressive cameo against Germany last week.
"Sancho is a very creative player and a incisive dribbler!"
Arsène Wenger is expecting England to pack the flanks against Ukraine, and explains why Jadon Sancho has got the nod ahead of Jack Grealish. #beINEURO2020 #EURO2020 #UKRENG
Watch Now – https://t.co/RRmQgctETJ pic.twitter.com/mVU84GiwLf
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) July 3, 2021
“He [Southgate] wants to attack the flanks that the system Ukraine is playing,” Wenger told beIN SPORTS.
“Many people ask why Jack Grealish doesn’t play. I think Jadon Sancho is a mix between Grealish and a winger.
“He is a very creative player, similar to Grealish, but he is more of an incisive dribbler and that’s why maybe he got the priority tonight.”
Sancho had a decent start in Rome and proved dangerous cutting inside the Ukraine defense before quieting down a little in the second half, while Grealish remained benched throughout the match.
England ultimately won 4-0 following Harry Kane’s brace and goals from Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson.
Wenger added: “It was a perfect night for English football. They didn’t concede a goal, qualified for the next round, and, were able to rest important players.”
The Three Lions will now meet Denmark at Wembley for the Euro 2020 semi-finals on Wednesday.