‘Hard work is 90 per cent. Talent is 10 per cent’: Jadon Sancho told to graft by Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre amid difficult run of form
- Jadon Sancho has struggled while his side have only won one in last six games
- Sancho and Borussia Dortmund take on Tottenham on Tuesday evening
- Lucien Favre believes his young winger needs to work hard to hit top level
Lucien Favre has told Jadon Sancho to continue working hard if he wants to reach the top.
Sancho had a blistering start to the season as Borussia Dortmund climbed to the top of the Bundesliga but has struggled to hit the same heights in recent weeks.
The former Manchester City winger has faltered as Dortmund have, with the team winning just one of their last six games.
Lucien Favre has told Jadon Sancho to continue working hard if he wants to reach the top
And ahead of the Champions League last-16 second-leg against Tottenham, Sancho’s manager has a simple solution.
‘He’s a very good player, a very talented player,’ he said. ‘He’s 18 and sometimes with 18 it’s up and down.
‘He had played really, really well in first half of season and at the start of second half but he has highs and lows.
‘He has a lot to learn, a lot of potential. But for every player who has talent there is no talent without hard work. Hard work is 90 per cent. Talent is 10 per cent.’
Favre was honest and admitted players sometimes face ups and downs at Sancho’s age
Matthias Sammer, a former Borussia Dortmund player and coach, claimed on television that Favre’s team were ‘immature’ after a defeat at Augsburg on Friday, comments interpreted by some as a slight against young stars of the team, including Sancho.
‘I have often spoken to Matthias at the beginning of the season and since,’ said Favre. ‘We have a good understanding. But he is a journalist in those situations and we are a democracy. Everyone can have his opinion.
‘I have every trust in him. In TV he has a right to say what he can say. It’s not a problem for me. But I did not see the show. So I can’t really judge this.’
The England international has been struggling for form, with Borussia Dortmund also faltering