Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic has hit back at Jadon Sancho’s critics after the Manchester United loanee’s Champions League performance against PSV Eindhoven.
Borussia Dortmund advanced to the final eight of the Champions League on Wednesday with a 2-0 victory over PSV.
Jadon Sancho was absolutely crucial to the win as he scored the opening goal with a smart finish, finding the bottom corner from the edge of the D.
But the Manchester United loanee’s performance offered much more, too, as he was a constant attacking threat with lovely skill and good interplay with his fellow attackers.
Sancho created two chances, made seven ball recoveries and won the Player of the Match award.
The game comes after Sancho had received sustained criticism for his poor displays in recent weeks in Germany.
The 23-year-old had picked up two assists in his first two games back at Dortmund but had struggled to have much impact.
However, he scored against Werder Bremen at the weekend and now manager Edin Terzic believes he’s just had his best performance yet.
Edin Terzic hits back at Jadon Sancho’s critics
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Terzic said: “Seven days ago everybody asked me about when will he step back into his shape, into his form, when will he score?
“A lot have criticised last week and we see that he’s enjoying to be with us, to play and be with the teammates on and off the pitch.
“Jadon is a player who needs to smile. If he’s smiling then he’s going to shine on the pitch and it’s really important for us that he can perform like this.
“He did it really well, especially in the last two games. A big impact on our game.
“I think tonight was his best performance since he’s back and we know there’s a lot more to come.”
Great news for Manchester United
The better Sancho performs then the more United stands to benefit, regardless of where Sancho’s future lies.
If the forward can get his confidence back and feel rejuvenated, perhaps he could return to Old Trafford and finally live up to his price tag.
That seems an unlikely outcome as long as Erik ten Hag is in charge after the pair’s spectacular falling out but the Dutchman is not guaranteed to be in the job next season.
There could be a second chance, a fresh start, for Sancho if Ten Hag is dismissed at the end of the season.
However, if he doesn’t want to come back or if the club don’t want him, the better he performs the more United will be able to recoup when he’s sold.
It’s a win-win scenario so United will be hoping Sancho continues to perform.
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