Sancho has hit the ground running in Germany (Image: GETTY)
By this time next week, he could have played his way into football folklore.
If Sancho, an 18-year-old London winger with Borussia Dortmund, features for Gareth Southgate’s side in the UEFA Nations League matches with Croatia and Spain, he will become the first Englishman born this Millennium to wear the red, white and blue for the senior team.
He has already achieved a landmark in itself by being the first 21st Century boy to be even be selected for the squad.
“I was surprised to get the call up, me being so young,” he says.
If you are good enough, you are old enough and in the past three months Sancho has proved he really is good enough.
Sold reluctantly by Manchester City for £10m to Borussia last year – that’s pretty big money for a teenager of any talent – Sancho has made 10 appearances this season.
And, in that time, he has had nine assists – the most by any player in Europe’s top five leagues.
No wonder he is on the plane for these double headers, the opener against the side which in July beat England in the World Cup semi-finals.
Gareth Southgate gave Sancho his first England call-up (Image: GETTY)
Sancho was born on March 25, 2000, eighty-four days into the Millennium and what a different football world it was then.
A few months later, Manchester United were crowned Premier League champions, with Arsenal a staggering 18 points behind them as runners-up. And which club were promoted back to the top flight after finishing second in then-League One? No other than Manchester City.
Who could have predicted the story 17 years later.
In the summer of last year, Sancho walked out on Pep Guardiola’s City because he wanted to try his luck in the Bundesliga. He thought it would better for his development. It was an extraordinarily brave move for a teenager.
Sancho left Manchester City for Dortmund in 2017 (Image: GETTY)
“I believe in myself, so moving to Germany didn’t phase me,” says Sancho. “Not everyone is comfortable moving from home. But if you’re ready to play abroad and you believe in yourself, why not?
“Moving away from home was the biggest challenge. Leaving my Mum and my sisters behind. I miss them a lot.
“But I wanted to do what was best for me, and that was what I did. It was very tough, especially my Mum. But if you really believe in yourself, you have to do what’s best for you.
“I’d recommend it. Everyone has been nice to me there. I’m learning German – it’s difficult, and I’ve got a long way to go.
Sancho has appeared five times this season, scoring once (Image: GETTY)
“My focus was getting minutes as a player and playing first-team football – which is what I’ve done.”
He has not tasted any German beer yet but he loves the schnitzel and as for his grasp of the language, he is working on it. “Danke schoen,” was all that he would share, with a grin, as he chatted yesterday.
But it is on the pitch where he the former Watford trainee is really doing the talking, even as late as last Saturday as the London-born youngster celebrated his England call up in style.
He was making his first start of the season for Borussia, who trailed Augsburg 1-0, before his 62nd minute cross saw Paco Alcacer equalise.
The youngster left Man City after a lack of playing time in his contract (Image: GETTY)
It was Sancho’s sixth League assist of the season – and his side went on to win a thriller 4-3
“It’s all about believing in myself, training hard every day, getting my opportunity on the pitch, showing the world what I can do. People are taking notice, and I’m grateful for that,” he says.
Sancho’s inspiration as a youngster was Brazilian Ronaldinho and England hero John Barnes – another former Watford player – was also an influence.
“I always dreamed of playing for my country when I was a kid,” says Sancho. “It’s the biggest thing for me. My Dad was a big fan of John Barnes. He had a couple of videos of him. I’d watch them.
Sancho admits he watched Ronaldinho as a youngster (Image: GETTY)
“I used to look at Ronaldinho on YouTube. I liked how he used to carry his team. He used to try things no one else would try.”
Sancho was a part of the Under 17 squad which tasted World Cup glory in India last year alongside City’s star Phil Foden, but missed out on the latter stages after the group games when he was recalled by Dortmund. The team beat Spain 5-2 in the final in Kolkata without him and it was a frustrating moment.
“That was a very special group,” he says. “All of us had a great bond. We didn’t know how great we were as a team, but reaching the final of the Euro Under 17’s made us realise we had something special.
Sancho has been a key figure in the Dortmund team in recent weeks (Image: GETTY)
“I didn’t want to leave when Dortmund called me back, but if your club really needs you, I was happy because the manager wanted me to play. It was difficult but I’m glad the boys brought it home.
“I watched the final on a live stream on the internet. I got a medal and that’s the best thing that’s happened to me in my England career so far.”
As he has already demonstrated, Sancho wants more and this next week might just bring that.