“That has been his problem for years. Even when he was in Manchester City. That was why Pep Guardiola sold him out of the club for just £8 Million not mind all his talents”- Kieron Dyer recalls witnessing Jadon Sancho ‘red flag’ when he watched him as a youngster for Man City. According to Kieron Dyer, who observed Sancho’s development as a youngster at City, the player has always displayed a certain “red flag” that has hindered his progress as a footballer – a flaw that could explain his rocky start at Old Trafford and might even cast doubt over his future with the Red Devils.
Former England international Kieron Dyer recently reflected on a key “red flag” he noticed in Jadon Sancho during his early days at Manchester City. Now 24, Sancho showed great promise as he progressed through City’s youth ranks before transferring to Borussia Dortmund in 2017. At Dortmund, Sancho’s talents flourished on a global stage. Nonetheless, Dyer suggested that Sancho’s attitude, a recurring issue, might have led Pep Guardiola to sell him for just £8 million despite his clear potential.
Sancho is currently gearing up for a crucial Champions League final at Wembley, where Dortmund will clash with Real Madrid. His outstanding performance in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain was vital in securing Dortmund’s place in the final. However, Sancho’s career hasn’t been smooth sailing, including a challenging stint at Manchester United, which resulted in his loan back to Dortmund in January 2024.
In an interview with talkSPORT, Kieron Dyer, who also played for Newcastle United, reminisced about observing Sancho during his tenure with Manchester City’s youth teams. “He was an exceptional talent. Everyone in the academies was talking about him. When I was coaching and watched City, he was unstoppable in the under-18s,” Dyer recalled.
Dyer described a critical moment that raised doubts about Sancho’s mentality. “At about 17, he was highly sought after and dominated every team. But in the FA Youth Cup final against Chelsea, Reece James outplayed him. It can happen, but he quit on his team during the final.”
Dyer highlighted the importance of that incident. “He mentally checked out, and that raised a red flag for me. Despite having the world at his feet, after one bad game, he gave up on his teammates. You could see he had stopped trying, lost his spirit, and was mentally defeated.”
Since returning to Dortmund, Sancho has netted three goals and provided three assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. While his return to German football has featured flashes of his brilliance, the concerns Dyer raised about his mental toughness continue to be a topic of discussion. As Sancho prepares for one of the biggest matches of his career, his journey remains a blend of exceptional talent and moments of challenge.
