Rio Ferdinand insists he struggles to understand Gareth Southgate’s decision not to Jadon Sancho of his last English team.
The Manchester United The winger has rediscovered his best form this season following the arrival of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and has played a key role in reviving his squad under their new manager.
Sancho played a prominent role during the early days of Southgate’s reign, but was gradually eliminated after Euro 2020, where he was one of three players to miss a penalty in the shootout against Italy in the final.
Responding to Sancho’s latest omission ahead of tonight’s Nations League clash against the Azzurri, Ferdinand claimed Southgate would have a major rebuilding task if he changed his mind and chose Sancho again for the World Cup.
He told Vibe, “He’s sitting there thinking what else am I supposed to do? He didn’t like him when he was on fire, so he must think that’s the problem with Jadon Sancho, that there will be a mental block.
“He will have to work hard. If he comes into the squad now, Gareth Southgate will have to do a lot of work to rebuild him mentally.
“Jadon will think I forced him to put me here, but he’s not going to play with me. And when he plays me, he doesn’t really want to play with me.
“Those are the thoughts that will go through his mind. Mentally it’s hard to get him back if he ever gets back on the team.”
While Southgate ignored the credentials of in-form Sancho, he got stuck with much-maligned United skipper Harry Maguire, who has kept his place despite being dropped by Ten Hag.
“You should always support your judgment and we think he is an important player,” said Southgate, who joked that he was risking “whatever reputation I have” by choosing Maguire.
“If we thought there were experienced players ready to step in and play at a higher level then there would be another consideration and in some positions there would be a different level of competition that way.
“He is our most dominant central defender in the air. Him and John [Stones] are incredible with the ball.’
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