With or without star player Jadon Sancho, in-form England will start as the favourite against Asian heavyweight Japan in the FIFA U-17 World Cup pre-quarterfinals here on Tuesday.
Sancho, a vital cog in England’s wheel, was allowed to attend the tournament on the condition that he would return to his club — German giant Borussia Dortmund — after the group stages.
The English Football Association (FA), according to reports, tried to persuade Dortmund bosses to change their stance and let the talismanic player stay to hopefully fire England to World Cup glory.
While there was still no clarity on whether the highly-rated winger, comfortable on both flanks, would stay with the team or not, Sancho was seen training with one batch of English players on Sunday raising hopes of a possible end to the impasse.
But from what has been on display over the last week, it would be naive to imagine Steve Cooper’s charges struggling against Japan even if Sancho is not available.
“We showed we have 21 players who can start games and make a difference in a tournament at this level which is obviously great.
“It will be difficult to pick the team for the next one, but it bodes well that we have got so many players developing from our system and can come away from the World Cup and be better players,” coach Cooper had said after the team’s 4-0 verdict against Iraq, despite making eight changes to the squad that beat Mexico 3-2.
Barring Stoke City goalkeeper Josef Bursik, England has used all its 20 players in three games, underlining the depth in its ranks.
