Borussia Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl is delighted to secure Jadon Sancho’s return from Manchester United with the Premier League loanee ‘an absolute difference-maker’.
Such glowing praise will almost certainly raise eyebrows among sections of the Manchester United fanbase.
Jadon Sancho was not so much a ‘difference-maker’ during his two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford but more a continuation of a very depressing trend. Another highly talented player arriving amid lofty expectations, only to fell well below the standards he had set at his previous employers before departing under a cloud.
Of course, Sancho must shoulder his share of the blame. Elton John was right, it seems, when he sang that ‘sorry seems to be the hardest word’. And his return to Dortmund is, in more ways than one, a step backwards for a player who, at the age of 23, already appears to be approaching a make-or-break period in his young career.
Jadon Sancho leaves Manchester United
“Jadon is an absolute difference-maker, and I’m looking forward to seeing him in black and yellow again soon,” Kehl, Dortmund’s sporting director, tells the club’s official website.
“He knows this city, Signal Iduna Park, our fans and our club. Even though he hasn’t played any competitive games in recent months, we’re sure that he’ll quickly settle back in with us, find his best form and help us to achieve our season objectives with his qualities.”
Sancho was often scintillating during his first spell in Germany. And a Dortmund side sitting six points adrift of the Champions League places could do with the England international recapturing the form which earned him that £73 million move to Man United as they chase down a top-four spot.
Dortmund return confirmed
“When I walked into the changing room today, it felt like ‘coming home’,” Sancho himself explains.
“I know the club inside out, I’ve always been very close to the fans here and I’ve never lost contact with the people in charge. I can’t wait to see my team-mates again, get out on the pitch, play football with a smile on my face, get assists, score goals and help the club qualify for the Champions League.”
United, interestingly, opted against including a purchase clause in Sancho’s contract. Clearly, INEOS are looking to keep all their options open, with it not beyond the realms of possibility that Sancho outlives Ten Hag at Old Trafford rather than the other way around.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
