Tottenham will be hoping Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho is not in the mood to be making any more headlines when the two clubs meet in the Champions League last 16.
England international Sancho was in the news as he delayed Dortmund’s departure to London on Tuesday after forgetting his passport.
But his sizzling form for the Bundesliga leaders has also seen him grab the column inches, scoring eight goals and producing 11 assists in all competitions.
He will be one of Dortmund’s main threats against Spurs in the first leg at Wembley, particularly as the Premier League club look set to play Jan Vertonghen at left-back.
Sancho’s story has been well publicised this year following the decision to turn his back on Manchester City in August 2017 in order to get more game time – one that has seen him burst into the limelight.
Spurs boss Mauricio 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.”
Sancho’s team-mate Thomas Delaney said it has been his job to keep the 18-year-old grounded as the English media have hyped him up.
“Jadon is a big, big talent, with talent comes opportunities and he has them for sure,” he said.
“But he is still 18 years old and he has done amazing. He is not where he is supposed to be, he is a rough diamond, he will get there.
“I feel responsible for keeping him on the ground. Now we are in England and you are world famous for hyping your players.
“We try to keep him on the ground because he has a big, big future in front of him and he will do great things, but it takes hard work.”
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