Jadon Sancho: Why We Should Be Concerned for a Young Footballer at Risk of Being Forgotten
A Career at the Crossroads
Jadon Sancho was once one of the most exciting prospects in world football. Bursting onto the scene at Borussia Dortmund, his dazzling dribbles, creativity, and confidence made him a generational talent. By the time he joined Manchester United in 2021 for £73 million, the expectation was simple: he would be the man to revive United’s attacking spark.
But the story since then has been anything but straightforward. From form struggles to fitness issues and, most importantly, a public falling-out with Erik ten Hag, Sancho’s career has drifted. His loan spell at Borussia Dortmund last season reignited glimpses of the old magic, but even that return has not yet silenced doubts about his long-term future.
The Abuse and the Overshadowing
It’s fair to say Sancho has made mistakes. His refusal to apologise publicly after clashing with Ten Hag last autumn left him exiled from the Manchester United squad. Many argued he should have handled the situation differently. But that misstep has since snowballed into something far harsher: relentless online abuse, harsh punditry, and a sense that he’s already a “failed talent” at just 25.
This is where we should all take a step back. Football culture has a habit of building young stars up and then tearing them down the moment they falter. Sancho isn’t the first, and he won’t be the last, but the level of vitriol he receives far outweighs his mistakes.
The Human Side
Sancho is not just a footballer; he’s a young man navigating immense pressure under the glare of the global spotlight. Mental health has already played a part in his journey, with the player previously taking time away from the game to reset. When we mock or erase players like Sancho, we risk forgetting the human being behind the headlines.
Why He Deserves Patience
At 25, Sancho still has time to reshape his career. We’ve seen players like Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne rebuild after difficult spells in the Premier League and return to dominate the game. The same can happen for Sancho—if he’s given the space, support, and right environment to rediscover himself.
What he doesn’t deserve is being written off entirely. His skillset—close control, intelligence in tight spaces, and vision—remains rare. But his biggest battle now is confidence, not talent.
The Bigger Picture
Sancho’s story is a warning about how easily football forgets. One bad season, one public dispute, and years of brilliance at Dortmund are pushed aside. If fans, clubs, and the media continue to treat young footballers as disposable when things go wrong, the game risks destroying futures instead of nurturing them.
Conclusion
Jadon Sancho may not have delivered what Manchester United fans hoped for yet, but he should not be erased from memory. He’s a player still writing his story, one who has already shown us brilliance and could still return to the top.
Instead of abuse, what he needs is perspective, patience, and a chance to start again. Because if football gives up on Sancho now, it won’t just be his loss—it will be the game’s.
