“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 player Kieron Dyer recently highlighted a critical “red flag” he noticed in Jadon Sancho during his early years at Manchester City. Sancho, now 24, was a rising star at City before his transfer to Borussia Dortmund in 2017. At Dortmund, Sancho’s talent flourished on the global stage. However, Dyer suggested that Sancho’s attitude, a recurring problem, 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 face Real Madrid. His standout performance in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain was key in securing Dortmund’s place in the final. Nevertheless, Sancho’s career has faced challenges, including a tough stint at Manchester United, which resulted in his loan return to Dortmund in January 2024.
In an interview with talkSPORT, Kieron Dyer, who also played for Newcastle United and England, recalled watching Sancho in Manchester City’s youth system. “He was a wonderkid growing up. He was the talk of everybody in the academies at that time. I was coaching and when I watched Man City, he was unstoppable. It was the youth team, so the under-18s, and he was incredible,” Dyer remembered.
Dyer then recounted a key incident that raised concerns about Sancho’s mindset. “He was probably 17 years old and everyone wanted him – he could have his pick, he’d just dominate every team. They played Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup final and played against Reece James, and Reece James got the better of him, which can happen to anyone, but he quit on his team in the Youth Cup final.”
Dyer emphasized the importance of that moment. “He just mentally went and I kind of had a red flag against him then and thought that’s a bit weird. He’s got the world at his feet and alright, he’s had a bad game but he’s quit on his teammates. You could see the life had gone out of him, he’d stopped tracking back and sort of given up and was basically mentally gone.”
Since returning to Dortmund, Sancho has scored three goals and provided three assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. His return to German football has shown flashes of brilliance, but the concerns Dyer raised about his mental toughness continue to be a topic of discussion. As Sancho approaches one of the most pivotal matches of his career, his journey remains marked by extraordinary talent and notable challenges.
