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'Joy to watch' – Chelsea star tipped for England return under Thomas Tuchel

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League

Jadon Sancho has been tipped for an England recall (Picture: Getty)

Danny Murphy has tipped in-form Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho to earn a recall to the England squad under new boss Thomas Tuchel.

Having burst through at Borussia Dortmund, Sancho made his national team debut in October 2018 against Croatia under Gareth Southgate.

However, the winger has not been seen in an England shirt since 2021 as his form subsided following an ill-fated move to Manchester United.

On deadline day back in August, Sancho was offered a lifeline when he completed a loan switch to Chelsea and the 24-year-old is now starting to show glimpes of his old best at Stamford Bridge.

Having scored a wonderful goal against Tottenham – his second in as many games – Sancho now has five goal involvements in nine Premier League games so far this campaign.

And his form is such that former England midfielder Murphy has called for Tuchel to consider recalling Sancho when he names his first Three Lions squad in March.

‘Sancho is again looking like the winger who ripped it up for Borussia Dortmund and it already feels like a no-brainer to turn his loan move into a permanent agreement,’ Murphy wrote in the Daily Mail.

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League

Sancho has rediscovered his best form at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca (Picture: Getty)

‘I love seeing young players overcome adversity and Sancho has been a joy to watch this season.

‘England’s World Cup qualifiers begin in March and if he continues with his present form, don’t be surprised to see him called up by new manager Thomas Tuchel.

‘A fit and confident Sancho is an asset to any club. He has wonderful balance that helps him glide across the pitch. His versatility is an added asset in the modern game; he can beat a man right or left.’

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright was equally keen to praise Sancho for how he has rediscovered his best form following his move to west London.

Andorra v England - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Sancho last played for England in October 2021 (Picture: Getty)

‘I need to give flowers to Jadon Sancho,’ Wright said on his podcast. ‘He was very good [against Tottenham], he was good.

‘He said afterwards about proving people wrong and feeling welcome so he obviously didn’t feel that at the other place, at Man United, probably.

‘Why would he say that otherwise? He didn’t feel like he was at the bosom of a football club that recognised what he can do and gave him the platform to express himself.

‘Even when he went to Dortmund last season he was proving people wrong. I’m just pleased he’s shown since leaving United that in the right environment he is a top player, a top player.’

While Tuchel ponders a recall for Sancho, the German also recently hinted that he would consider offering an olive branch to Ben White who ruled himself out of England selection towards the end of Southgate’s tenure.

‘I will reach out to him,’ Tuchel said on Friday after the World Cup 2026 qualifying draw.

‘It should be a clean start and a clear narrative. I will be in the stadiums from January. I will also not distract the players and they should just know, ‘okay, the boss is there from January’.’

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