Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. once confidently declared his admiration for a particular England player. His pick was unwavering, even though this talented individual has been absent from the national team setup for a considerable period. Let’s delve into Neymar’s choice and examine how this player’s career has unfolded since receiving such high praise.
In 2020, leading up to a pivotal Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, Neymar, then the star forward for PSG, publicly lauded a young opponent making waves in European football. The player in question was none other than the then 19-year-old Jadon Sancho.
At that time, Jadon Sancho was showcasing exceptional form for Borussia Dortmund. He had already amassed an impressive tally of 12 goals and 13 assists in just 19 league appearances. His stellar performances highlighted his burgeoning talent since his move from England to the Bundesliga.
Speaking about Sancho’s abilities, Neymar stated: “Jadon is a player that I really like to watch play, and he is a great player with plenty of quality.” He further emphasized, “Borussia Dortmund is a team with plenty of quality players. They have a special player, who is new but who is very good whose name is Sancho.”
Neymar acknowledged the challenge posed by Dortmund and Sancho, noting, “He is a good player. We all know how difficult it will be for us here at Dortmund. We are hoping to play a good game to get a good result back to Paris.”
Interestingly, Sancho himself had revealed in 2018 that Neymar was his long-time idol. This admiration likely explains why Neymar had been keenly observing Sancho’s progress during his breakthrough years. In an interview with Bild, Sancho described his admiration: “My favourite player and role model is Neymar. He plays his opponents dizzy at the highest pace, and he is incredibly dangerous in front of goal.” He added, “He’s just different. He takes the mickey out of people. He’s just being himself, he’s expressing himself and I love that.”
Despite the immense potential once recognized by Neymar and evident in his Dortmund days, Sancho’s England career has not fully taken flight. He has earned 23 caps for his country, with his last appearance in 2021 against Andorra where he contributed two assists.
Jadon Sancho for Chelsea- Getty
After much anticipation, Sancho returned to Premier League football in 2021, joining Manchester United. However, his time at Old Trafford has been largely underwhelming. In 58 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils, he managed to score only nine goals and provide six assists. This marked a stark contrast to the high expectations that followed him from Germany.
Despite signing a contract until the summer of 2026 with Manchester United, Sancho’s future remains uncertain. He is currently on a season-long loan at Chelsea, with the London club reportedly having an ‘obligation to buy’. However, recent reports suggest that Chelsea might be reconsidering this agreement.
There are indications that Chelsea is exploring options to pay a fee to potentially terminate the ‘obligation to buy’ clause, as Sancho has yet to replicate his Dortmund form at Stamford Bridge. This leaves question marks surrounding Sancho’s next career move and whether he can rediscover the dazzling form that once prompted Neymar’s glowing endorsement.
Featured Image Credit: Romario TV
Topics: Neymar, Jadon Sancho, Football, Premier League, Manchester United, Chelsea, Transfers