Jadon Sancho setting an example for England youngsters, says Michael Mancienne
Michael Mancienne believes more English players should follow the lead of Jadon Sancho in playing abroad to develop their game.
Borussia Dortmund winger Sancho has thrived since swapping Manchester City for regular first-team football in the Bundesliga.
After moving to Germany in 2017 and becoming an England international a year later, the 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a big-money move to the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Former Chelsea youngster Mancienne, now playing with New England Revolution having spent three seasons of his club career with Hamburg, feels it is a path that should be taken by talented prospects.
Despite the strength of the Premier League, Mancienne says players like Sancho can improve in other top European leagues if regular game time is proving tough to come by at home.
"Obviously Jadon Sancho is a great player and it is good to see English talent playing abroad," he said to Stats Perform News.
"Foreigners come to England all the time and it obviously seems like a normal thing.
"I know the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world but to go and get that experience of playing abroad is massive and it can make you a better player.
"It can definitely help your career, especially for a young player struggling to break into their first team.
"If you get the chance to go abroad I think that's massive and it can further your career."
First professional hat trick A bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change. We have to come together as one & fight for justice. We are stronger together! #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/ntOtwOySCO
— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) May 31, 2020
Asked if more English players should go to the Bundesliga, he added: "Yeah most definitely, I think it is massive."
Mancienne won 30 England caps at Under-21 level earlier in his career.
He has praised manager Gareth Southgate for his work with the senior side, which he believes has been boosted by blooding youngsters like Sancho, who has 11 caps.
"I think [Gareth Southgate] has done a brilliant job," said Mancienne. "He came in and he changed a lot.
"People weren't sure if it was the right thing to do but giving younger players a chance to have that experience is only going to make them a better team and a better squad.
"You saw Germany years ago, their U21 team that I played against in the U21 Euros, that team went on and won the World Cup. They trusted that team and they kept them together.
"It doesn't matter how old you are, young players need that experience if they want to improve.
"Southgate has been brilliant in pushing, not changing the team and making it younger, more vibrant and full of energy."