‘He is still growing up’: Borussia Dortmund chief Michael Zorc insists Jadon Sancho needs nurturing after he was dropped twice for discipline issues and poor time-keeping
- Jadon Sancho is ‘still growing up’, according to Dortmund chief Michael Zorc
- The 19-year-old was dropped twice in recent months over discipline issues
- Sancho was omitted from the squad that faced Borussia Monchengladbach
- He was then named on the bench for Champions League clash with Barcelona
Jadon Sancho is still growing up and needs guiding as he continues to develop into a world-class football player, according to Borussia Dortmund chief Michael Zorc.
The England starlet was dropped from Dortmund’s starting XI twice in a matter of months over his poor time-keeping.
Sancho was omitted from the squad that faced Borussia Monchengladbach in October before he was named on the bench for the club’s Champions League clash with Barcelona a month later.
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc insists Jadon Sancho is ‘still growing up’
Sancho was dropped from Dortmund’s starting XI twice in two months over poor time-keeping
The 19-year-old was also hooked at half-time against a managerless Bayern Munich last month – a game Dortmund would go on to lose 4-0 in humiliating fashion.
After being disciplined by the club, speculation surrounded his future which led to the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all ready to make a move and bring him back to England as early as January.
However, Zorc has described his and the club’s relationship with Sancho as ‘completely fine’ as they continue to help him develop as a player.
‘Jadon is still in the process of growing up and perfect professional behaviour, so he needs guidelines and help, and we’ll give him that,’ Zorc told Kicker.
‘You have no choice – you have to maintain team discipline. You have to act as a club at some point.’
The teenager was named on the bench for the club’s Champions League clash with Barcelona
Sancho was also hooked at half-time in the 4-0 defeat by Bayern Munich last month
Sancho has now found his feet again after netting a brace in the 5-0 win over Dusseldorf
Sancho announced himself on the world’s stage for Dortmund after he netted 12 goals and notched 17 assists as an 18-year-old last season.
While the former Manchester City youth product has been hampered by the discipline issues, Sancho still has an impressive seven goals and eight assists in 12 league games so far this campaign.
Sancho is expected to start for Dortmund in their final Champions League game with Slavia Prague on Tuesday.
Dortmund need to win on Tuesday and have to better Inter Milan’s result against Barcelona if they are to have a chance of reaching the competition’s knockout stages.
