Kolkata: England U-17 midfielder Jadon Sancho on Monday left the team midway through the FIFA U-17 World Cup after Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund recalled him to Cyprus for their next Champions League game.
“Jadon’s gone home. Dortmund requested he got back to Germany. It is disappointing for him. He was relishing the chance to play for a World Cup. It was disappointing to see him go. He might start for Dortmund over the weekend,” said England coach Steve Cooper on the Eve of their pre-quarterfinal against Japan at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old who was released by the club to play for the ‘Three Lions’ in the group stages had a great tournament, which saw him score three goals, including a brace against Chile courtesy, which the U-17 Euro runners-up qualifed for the knock-out stages with a 100 percent record.
Steve Cooper, who along with the FA tried to negotiate with the Player’s club was hopeful that Sancho will be available for the entire tournament. But, Dortmund, who bought the Englishman for a reported €8 million from Manchester City’s academy insisted on his return.
The 2014 Bundesliga winners had given Sancho the jersey number seven left behind by the outgoing Ousmane Dembele and had also assured of first – team chances.
The attacking midfielder was also named in the bench during the recent 2-1 win over FC Augsburg, but was an unused substitute and now has been called up to the team for it’s Champions League match against Apoel Nicosia on Tuesday.
“Jadon loves playing for England and this team in particular so it’s sad to see him go,” said Cooper.
“I can only imagine Dortmund want him back to play in their first team at the weekend and I assume he will be starting for them, because I can’t think of a reason why you would take a player away from a World Cup,” concluded the English coach who now has to devise a new tactic to cover up Sancho’s absence.