Sancho’s Bundesliga success is no surprise to Spurs’ boss
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V BORUSSIA DORTMUND CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino is not surprised to see Jadon Sancho hit the heights for Borussia Dortmund this season.
The 18-year-old midfielder has burst onto the scene at Dortmund having left Manchester City, where opportunities were limited, in August 2017 for £8m.
He has scored eight goals and produced 11 assists in all competitions for the German side, form which earned him England recognition before Christmas.
Sancho, who was involved in all three goals in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim, will return to Wembley with Dortmund tonight as they play Spurs in the first leg of the
last-16 Champions League tie. Pochettino, who hinted Sancho was on Spurs’ radar when he left City, expected the youngster to make waves if he got action.
“We knew very well that he was capable to do what he is doing now with game time,” said Pochettino.
“Of course he is showing now in Germany that he can cope with the pressure to play in the Bundesliga or in the Champions League. And no surprise to me.
“We have seen the quality that he was showing in Manchester City or in his national team.
“I think we were talking in the last few years that he was a massive prospect to be a very good player. His talent is there and he’s a very talented player.”
Jan Vertonghen is set for a more testing evening than he might have otherwise expected as the Belgian looks set to start at left-back, following injuries to Danny Rose and Ben Davies.
Rose will have a fitness test this morning.
Vertonghen will be hoping that Sancho has an off-day like Tuesday – when he delayed Dortmund’s departure by forgetting his passport.