Jadon Sancho has got his confidence back - now England boss Gareth Southgate should make the Borussia Dortmund loanee his Euro 2024 wildcard

The main reason Sancho may have squeezed back into the frame for a place in Southgate's squad is a masterful individual performance on club football's biggest stage; with the world watching as favourites Paris Saint-Germain arrived in town for a Champions League semi-final first leg on May 1, Sancho was immense.

The winger tormented his full-back Nuno Mendes all night long, completing the most dribbles by an English player in the Champions League since Opta's records began (12). He became the first player since Lionel Messi in 2008 to complete more than 11 take-ons in a Champions League semi-final, and he won the most duels (13) and created the most chances (three).

Underdogs Dortmund would go on to win the game 1-0 and completed the job in Paris to reach an unlikely Champions League final, where Sancho will have an incredible opportunity to prove his worth to his country in colossal encounter that will be played out under the Wembley arch. His semi-final first-leg display is one that put the world on notice, and Southgate must surely have been impressed.

Sancho predictably wasn't called up for England's March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, in what was Southgate's final opportunity to analyse the players available to him before picking his 26-man squad for the European Championship.

That omission was considered to be telling for Sancho and the other overlooked players on the fringes of the Three Lions setup, with Southgate usually hesitant to spring a surprise or take a big risk when it comes to decision time.

The Manchester United loanee will know, then, that his chances of sneaking onto the plane to Germany are slim, but he isn't giving up hope. Asked about his Euro 2024 hopes after running the show against PSG in Dortmund, he said: "I take it game by game and performances like today I hope it carries on."

However, Sancho's failed spell at United and acrimonious exit could feasibly override any of the good work he has done during his return to Dortmund, with Southgate likely acutely aware of his history of indiscipline.

The attacker underwhelmed massively in his debut season at Old Trafford following his blockbuster transfer in the summer of 2021, with his eight goal contributions paling in comparison to the 36 he managed in his final season in Germany. A strong start to his second campaign was then derailed by physical and mental health issues, as he was removed from the squad altogether for a number of months.

This season, a very public falling-out with Erik ten Hag has proven to be the death knell for his time at the club. Sancho reacted angrily after being left out of the squad that travelled to face Arsenal in September, and he was subsequently exiled from the first team. He has not played a minute for the Red Devils since, securing a loan return to Dortmund in January.

It is said Sancho had issues with lateness throughout his time at United, while his application was also called into question. Speaking after his move in January, Ten Hag said: "So after he was signed, one year before (I was here), and there were issues. We have had issues all the way through, and so you can make out his stay at Manchester United so far is not a success."

Although he risks contradicting himself with his captain Harry Kane now starring for Bayern Munich, Southgate has also been hesitant to lean heavily on players from the Bundesliga in the past, waiting some time before making now-key man Jude Bellingham a regular starter and using Sancho sparingly after his debut in 2018.

Speaking about the German top flight in 2022, the England boss said: "The league is definitely a brilliant league for young players and coaches to develop, but of course the standard of the Premier League is undoubtedly higher."

He made similar comments in reference to Sancho amid his initial struggles at United in 2021. "With Jadon, I’m not surprised," he said. "The Bundesliga is totally different, Dortmund is a big club but Manchester United is one of the biggest in the world. You’re not going to get the goals and assists numbers anywhere near in our league, that you are in the Bundesliga."

Of course, the most significant barrier to Sancho's chances is the stiff competition in the wide areas. Although he holds an advantage in his ability to play on either flank, it would be a huge call for Southgate to pick him ahead of those who have established themselves in the setup in recent times.

On the right, Arsenal's Bukayo Saka will surely start, while Chelsea's breakout star Cole Palmer is a shoo-in for the squad, and Jarrod Bowen has enjoyed another fine season at West Ham.

Based on Southgate's usual selections, Phil Foden will have the left side locked down after an incredible individual campaign for Manchester City, but it's behind him that there could be an opportunity.

On form, Anthony Gordon will be next in line to play, although he is inexperienced at senior level for England having only earned a first call-up in March. Meanwhile, trusted lieutenants Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish have both endured difficult seasons and aren't in any sort of form as the tournament approaches.

That is where Sancho could sense an opportunity, having proven in the Champions League semi-finals that he can grab the biggest games by the scruff of the neck. The question that Southgate must ask himself now is: how many of those perceived to be ahead of Sancho in the pecking order would be capable of doing the same in the pressure cooker of an international tournament knockout match? The answers would fit on the back of a postage stamp.

Sancho fits the definition of a wildcard perfectly; a vastly talented attacker who has spent years in the international wilderness, with something to prove and invaluable experience of those high-pressure moments. Indeed, his second-most recent England appearance was the Euro 2020 final three years ago, when he was introduced in the final minute of extra-time and subsequently missed his penalty as Italy triumphed. He will be chomping at the bit to right that wrong.

After all, surely it would make more sense to take someone who could well be impactful as a substitute over someone who might wilt under the pressure, or may travel only to warm the bench? There would be few doubts over turning to an in-form Sancho in a moment of need. Despite that three-year absence he has a strong record for England, making 10 goal contributions in 1,077 minutes of action for his country.

Even if a shot at European Championship redemption passes Sancho by, all hope is not lost for the future. He is all-but certain to leave United this summer for a fresh start elsewhere and, still remarkably just 24 years old, it seems he has rediscovered that drive to reach the top that made him an outstanding talent in his first stint at Dortmund.

At international level, Southgate - or perhaps his successor - will be keeping a watchful eye on his progress, and if he can perform consistently in his new surroundings and replicate that form from earlier in his career, there is no reason he won't be back in the England picture.

Southgate said in 2021: "I think we feel we have invested in Jadon over a period of time, we believe he can get to a high level." Sancho will just hope that belief is still there within the Three Lions setup.