Manchester United loaned Jadon Sancho to Aston Villa on the final day of the summer transfer window after permanent moves did not materialise
Jadon Sancho pictured during his loan spell at Chelsea last season
Jadon Sancho pictured during his loan spell at Chelsea last season
(Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has insisted that his plan is to help Jadon Sancho reach England's international squad again after he joined from Manchester United on deadline day.
Sancho informed the Reds at the beginning of the summer transfer window that he wished to leave Old Trafford again this season. The winger had been expected to complete a permanent move to Chelsea at the start of the window however that deal fell through.
Chelsea were unable to reach personal terms with Sancho and were forced to pay a £5m penalty to United for backing out of the transfer. AS Roma were heavily linked with signing the 25-year-old but did not formalise their interest.
However on deadline day, the Reds offered him to Villa and the deal was completed. The season-long loan does not include an option to purchase him at the end of the season as Sancho's contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season.
Ahead of Villa's trip to Everton this weekend, Emery insisted that his focus was on developing Sancho back into the player who could represent his national team before the World Cup next summer. "Yes, of course, this is my objective, to get him back to his best - and if he does that then he’ll come back to the national team," Emery told his press conference.
"Every player wants to be part of the national team. When he was in Borussia Dortmund, he performed fantastic.
"And he played with the national team 25 matches, more or less. Of course, he's still young.
"He's still being hungry to show his capacity to play with his skills, his qualities, and hopefully we can exploit here, again, his best." It has been four years since Sancho last played for England.
He was last called up under Gareth Southgate for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary. Sancho bagged two assists against the former as the Three Lions cruised to a 5-0 victory.
Jadon Sancho won his 23rd cap for England against Andorra in 2021
Jadon Sancho won his 23rd cap for England against Andorra in 2021
Sancho is not expected to start for Villa this weekend. However, he could be named among the substitutes for the West Midlands club's first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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