Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TIME OF MY LIFE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
You’ve come a long way, baby.. Prodigal son Jadon returns a hero
responsibility of being the trailblazer for the next generation of British footballers abroad, hoping to inspire south London’s youngsters and appearing totally unaffected by his new life in the football spotlight.
The first display of that came when Sancho arrived for his press day at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park home ground and made a point of going around the room and greeting each of the 20-odd people who had travelled to see him with a handshake.
It was only a small gesture but still a demonstration of how humble and grounded he remains despite his rapidly rising stardom.
It also underlined the maturity of the teenager who has had to grow up fast, taking the “hard” decision to move away from home three times before turning 18 for the good of his career.
Moving to Harefield Academy boarding school while at Watford and then Manchester to join City, were significant steps. Joining Dortmund from City in August 2017 has been life-changing in every sense. Knowing just how SPEND some time in the company of Jadon Sancho and it can be easy to forget he is still only 18. Only occasionally are there reminders of just how young Borussia Dortmund and England’s wonder-kid winger actually is. Like when he says how he has done his research about the Twin Towers at the old Wembley – which shut in October 2000 just six months after he was born – ahead of his return to the rebuilt stadium tomorrow to face Tottenham in the Champions League. Or when he describes with a youthful enthusiasm how big Dortmund are – “especially on FIFA!” – as he recalls first hearing that they wanted to sign him. Because what stands out more than anything is that Sancho possesses a maturity beyond his years to go with all the ability that is turning him into a global star. That is why, despite his tender years, he is happy to take on the
difficult it is to adapt to life abroad, he was quick to send Welsh starlet Rabbi Matondo a message of support after he joined Dortmund’s neighbours Schalke from City for £11million last month.
Sancho said: “I’m going to see him very soon, comfort him and make him feel welcome, because he won’t have his normal friends around him. That’s what I had to go through when I first came to Germany. It hasn’t been easy.
“I’ve had to work for this. I’m just happy that it’s all working out.”
South London’s youngsters now also have a role model in Sancho, who grew up in Kennington.
He said. “For the kids in south London I hope I can give a positive message. I’m looking to do some interviews in schools where I can help them. I was where they are once upon a time. I think that would be nice for them to hear.”
When he does, Sancho will find out just how much hype he is generating back home.
Many of his social media clips – after every trick, assist and goal Sancho produces for Dortmund – go viral. He has caused such a stir because his progress has been spectacular, fully justifying his decision to leave City in the process.
Just 18 months after quitting the Etihad without a single senior appearance to his name, he returns to
London tomorrow as one of the star attractions in
Dortmund’s last16 first-leg tie against Spurs.
Sancho said:
“Playing in front of my family is something
I’ve always wanted to do since I was a young boy.
“I’d love to play in front of my hometown crowd, that’s why I can’t wait for the game.
“Everyone was messaging me saying, ‘I need a ticket!’
“I have about 30 tickets. Hopefully I can show London people what I’m about.”