Gareth Southgate has explained why Jadon Sancho is struggling for game-time at Euro 2020 so far.
The Borussia Dortmund star is yet to play a single minute in the tournament, having been left out of the squad for the Croatia win and only managing a spot on the bench against Scotland.
In their last game, England lacked dynamism and natural width - something that Sancho has in abundance - yet the 21-year-old was not brought on as a substitute.
The media in Germany are said to be "staggered" over Sancho's lack of game-time, while former England striker Ian Wright was furious that Sancho did not get on after a season where he scored 16 and assisted 20 for Dortmund.
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With clamour for Sancho to get a start in the final group game against Czech Republic, Southgate said he was being "realistic" about expectations of the young players - including Sancho.
"We've got some explosive options and a lot of them are young players and experiencing a big tournament for the first time," he said in a press conference when asked if Sancho would be involved on Tuesday.
"So as a coaching staff we are realistic about our expectations of them as individuals.
"Jadon is in that mix. He's trained well the last few days and of course we have got those options and those decisions to make."
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Sancho's 17-year old Dortmund colleague Jude Bellingham has managed more minutes in his first major international tournament after making a late second-half cameo against Croatia.
Looking ahead to the next game, former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has urged Southgate to unleash Sancho.
"The substitutions, I thought they were poor," Ferdinand said on his Five YouTube channel as he analyses England's dismal 0-0 draw with Scotland. "
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"You can make a lot of substitutions now, he only made two substitutions when you can make five.
"Utilise that bench, that's what it's there for. We've got all these players. Sancho? What's he done? He must have done something behind the scenes.
"He [Sancho] for the last three seasons has the second most goal involvements in this England squad after Sterling and Harry Kane.
"I really can't understand it. He didn't get on the bench in the first game, he didn't get his boots wet in the second game and you've got that talent sitting there and you've got a team that are sitting waiting to get beat.
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"Just unleash these boys, we look like a rigid old England team again."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football, Euro 2020, England, Jadon Sancho