Dortmund may have missed out on the Bundesliga title but this young talent continues to impress.
Jadon Sancho enjoyed a remarkable 2018/19 campaign with Borussia Dortmund. The 19-year-old Englishman featured in more Bundesliga games than any of his teammates last season, scoring 12 goals and notching up an unrivaled 14 assists along the way.
The winger also broke all kinds of domestic scoring records. He became the first ever player born in the 2000s to score twice in a single Bundesliga game and became the youngest Dortmund player to score 10 goals in a Bundesliga season.
When Jadon Sancho signed for Borussia Dortmund in August 2017, the move was a huge risk for both parties. Not only was it a gamble for Dortmund to spend £8 million on a little known 17-year-old foreign player, it was also an extremely brave decision for the player himself to move to a different country at such a young age.
The gamble has ultimately paid off and the player has certainly exceeded any expectations the club had of him. Sancho is miles ahead of schedule in his development and has progressed at a rate that nobody could have imagined when he first signed for the club.
Nutmegs, stepovers and blistering pace have quickly made him one of the most feared opponents in the league. His ability to unlock defences with clever through balls and his calmness in front of goal visibly improved last campaign.
It’s generally his dazzling skills and direct approach that make the headlines but his intelligence and reading of the game was equally as impressive last season. He often dropped deep, winning the ball back for his side and turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
His standout displays also gained him international recognition. Having already played for England at under-19 level, Sancho bypassed the under-21s and made his debut for the senior side in a UEFA Nations League match against Croatia in October 2018.
This was followed up by a first competitive start for his country; a 5-0 demolition of the Czech Republic in a Euro 2020 qualifier at Wembley. The winger treated the home crowd to an exciting and fearless display and also managed to pick up an assist on the night.
In the end, Sancho’s efforts weren’t enough to help Dortmund claim a first Bundesliga trophy since 2012. Despite being top of the table for much of the season, Bayern Munich eventually finished 2 points clear and won a 7th consecutive title.
After an eye-catching season, it’s no surprise that a move away from Dortmund has been predicted. Manchester United are reported to be very keen on the young winger but after such a successful season for club and country, Sancho may opt to stay put for now and continue to develop into one of the game’s greats.