Daily Star Sunday

Sancho’s opened Dor for teen glory

- From ADRIAN KAJUMBA in Dortmund

JADON SANCHO has been labelled “unbelievab­le” and “outstandin­g” ahead of his eagerly anticipate­d return to England this week.

Three Lions wonderkid Sancho, 18, will be one of the star attraction­s when Borussia Dortmund face Tottenham in the Champions League at Wembley on Wednesday.

Having joined the Bundesliga side from Manchester City in

2017 with no senior experience to his name, Londoner Sancho returns just under 18 months later as one of the most exciting youngsters in world football.

The winger has enjoyed a rapid rise in Germany since his

£10million switch, taking the league by storm with a string of dazzling displays that have included eight goals and 13 assists this season.

Sancho netted the opener and set up another for Mario Goetze as Dortmund threw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 at home with Hoffenheim yesterday.

And Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said: “I’m not surprised about his performanc­es.

“But I am surprised how fast he managed to get to this senior level because before that he only played in youth teams.

“For this age he can still play in our Under-19s team. He’s still a youth player on our terms – that’s unbelievab­le.

“He’s very robust, he is physically very strong. For his age he is outstandin­g.”

Dortmund had a good idea what they were getting because Sancho (below) had been in their sights for some time before they snapped him up.

Zorc said: “We scouted him for the first time in August 2016 one year before we signed him.

“You could easily recognise his outstandin­g talent. Therefore it was very easy.”

Sancho’s decision to turn down a £30,000-a-week deal at City due to fears about his first-team chacnes has been justified, even before he establishe­d him as a key man this season.

He has been such a hit that a string of British youngsters have been encouraged to follow his path.

Zorc said: “The biggest advantage is that they have the chance to play.

“Because of this difference in money to spend, maybe the German teams are forced a bit more to give these younger players chances.

“The most important thing is not to make promises you can’t keep. We don’t say you’re going to play definitely. We just say there is the opportunit­y.

“How many players 20 years and younger are playing in our team?

“And in important games – against Munich, against Gladbach and also Champions

League games.” KANE AND ABLE: Son has helped Spurs keep up their title chase in the absence of hitman Harry

 ??  ?? MAGICAL MOMENT: Lloris holds the World Cup aloft
MAGICAL MOMENT: Lloris holds the World Cup aloft
 ??  ?? GLOVE-IN EACH DAY: Lloris in training
GLOVE-IN EACH DAY: Lloris in training

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