Ten things you didn't know about Dortmund and England star Jadon Sancho (2024)

Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho has had a remarkable breakthrough season in the Bundesliga.

The 18-year-old has netted eight goals and added ten assists in 24 league matches this season and now he must produce a world-class performance to help the German's defeat Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League - live on talkSPORT.

He picked up the Bundesliga Player of the Month award in October and made his England debut the same month in what has been a stunning season, so far.

And his showing at Wembley in the round of 16 first leg at Wembley was one of the best for Dortmund, despite a 3-0 defeat.

We all know this season he’s predominantly been playing on the right wing, showcasing his exemplary dribbling and lightning quick feet - but what else do we know about Sancho?

Find out 10 things you didn’t know below.

1. He grew up playing football on the streets

Sancho was born and raised in Kennington and because there was nowhere else to play, he learnt his trade on the streets and back alleys.

In a recent interview with the BBC, he said: "After school, I just wanted to play football. All around me, there were people who did bad things, but I never wanted to deal with them."

"What might have happened if I hadn't [focused on football] is with me all the time."

2. His immense talent was spotted while at Watford

Sancho's tricky feet and ability on the ball first caught the eye talent-spotters at Watford.

He joined the Hornets as a seven-year-old before quickly catching the eye of Chelsea and Arsenal scouts.

However, it was Man City who eventually got their hands on the youngster when he was 14.

His former youth coach at City, Mark Burton, once told The Mirror: "He had this flair, creativity and imagination and a bit of street football within him."

3. Arsenal starlet Reiss Nelson was one of his best friends during his childhood

Nelson, who is currently on loan from the Gunners at Hoffenheim, was a team-mate to Sancho in Southwark's London Youth Games Under-11 team.

The pair of them have now both risen to become stars of the Bundesliga, although Nelson is set to return to Arsenal when his loan ends upon the season's finish.

4. He left home at 12 years old to board at Watford's academy

Sancho, at the age of 12, left to board in Watford's Harefield Academy in Uxbridge.

His coach in the academy, Louis Lancaster, once told Sky Sports: "I asked him, 'What's the dream?'

"He looked me in the eye and said he wanted to play for one of Europe's top clubs and represent his country to make his family proud."

Sancho did both when he was still just 18 but told FourFourTwo he "hated" boarding due to his closeness with friends at home.

5. He idolises Ronaldinho

Sancho has said when he sees a football, he is drawn to it - and cites his love for Ronaldinho to explain why.

Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, he said: "Since I was a kid, that's what I've done - it doesn't feel right if I see a ball and don't touch it.

"Years ago, I used to watch videos of Ronaldinho juggling a ball doing tricks on his way to the training pitch, to help him get a feel for the ball. I thought, 'That's what I want to do.'"

He later said he was often "pretended" to be Ronaldinho.

6. He boasts an incredible stat

As of the end of last year, there had been 47 goals and assists by players born after 2000.

Sancho's goals and assists remarkably made up 38% of them.

7. He rejected the chance to stay with Pep Guardiola

Sancho swapped Man City for Dortmund in 2017 and Etihad chief Guardiola admitted he couldn't do anything about his departure.

He said: "In the end when they don't want to stay, there is nothing left to say."

8. He was given the Dortmund no.7 shirt ahead of Andriy Yarmolenko

The Ukrainian wide-man arrived three days before Sancho at Dortmund but was denied his preferred number.

Sancho admitted he was shocked at the faith they showed in him. saying: "I was so surprised.

"At first they offered me the no.9, but in England that's a centre-forwards number. They're both big numbers and it showed how much the club valued me."

9. He's involved in a special WhatsApp group

Sancho, who described Nelson as "like a brother" to him, is an admin for a WhatsApp group called 'Brits Abroad'.

He recalled the group went mad when Dortmund beat Bayern Munich, saying: "When we beat Bayern 3-2, the group went crazy. It's like being back in London. You go that extra mile."

10. He has a tattoo for a special reason

Sancho's baby brother died when he was five years old and he wrote a poem in memory of his late brother.

As soon as he was old enough Sancho had a verse of the poem tattooed on his forearm with a dove on the top of it.