England fail in last-ditch bid to persuade Robert Sanchez to represent the Three Lions instead of Spain, after Brighton goalkeeper got call-up from Luis Enrique for World Cup qualifiers
- Gareth Southgate wanted Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez to represent England
- The 23-year-old was called up to the Spain squad for their World Cup qualifiers
- However, the Three Lions made a last-ditch bid to try and persuade him
- Sportsmail understands Sanchez had already made his mind up to play for Spain
England failed with a last-ditch bid to convince Robert Sanchez to turn his back on Spain.
Brighton goalkeeper Sanchez’s breakthrough season got even better this week when he was named in Spain’s squad for the first time ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Greece, Georgia and Kosovo.
And Sanchez’s decision to accept Spain’s call up was much to the disappointment of Gareth Southgate who wanted him to represent England and was equally keen to select the 23-year-old.
Robert Sanchez has enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Premier League with Brighton
Gareth Southgate (left) wanted Sanchez to represent England but was beaten to the punch by Spain boss Luis Enrique (right)
Sportsmail understands a late attempt to persuade Sanchez to pick the Three Lions over Spain was made last week but the Seagulls stopper had already made his mind up to represent the country of his birth and given them his word.
Sanchez was born in Cartagena though moved to England aged 15 and, until this week, had not earned any international recognition.
But his impressive performances for Graham Potter’s side put him on the radars of both Spain and England with the former eventually winning the battle to secure him.
The Spaniard has at times proven to be an unbeatable last line of defence for Brighton