Gareth Southgate revealed he told Jadon Sancho to alter his starting position just before the Borussia Dortmund star registered his first England assist.
The Three Lions manager started with eight members of the side which began his side’s World Cup semi-final defeat against Croatia last summer, but most eyes were firmly fixed on the former Manchester City star.
Sancho, recently linked with a £100million summer move to Manchester United, started England’s opening Euro 2020 qualifier quietly but sprung into life after receiving some words of wisdom from his manager on the touchline.
Moments later, the winger latched onto a pinpoint Harry Kane pass and crossed low into the six-yard box where Raheem Sterling was waiting to turn home his first Wembley goal in three years.
Asked what he told Sancho prior to the goal, Southgate said: ‘We just wanted him to stay a little bit wider and build a bit with Kyle Walker because there was bit more space one we’d brought Ross Barkley on.
‘We’ve got exciting wide players, we saw the two young boys (Jadon Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi) as well, so it gets our good offensive players on the field and higher up the field.’
England warmed to there task thereafter and recorded a convincing 5-0 win thanks to two more from Sterling, a Kane penalty and an own goal from Tomas Kalas.
Captain Kane added: ‘Our system tonight definitely suits Raheem – 4-3-3, the wingers staying high.
‘It was a brilliant team performance, we pressed, we made it difficult for them, got the goals and were clinical.
‘We’re enjoying it out there, we’re a confident team coming off back last summer and the Nations League.
‘We’re playing good football, everyone is expressing themselves, we have young, hungry players and it showed tonight.’
