Jadon Sancho’s former manager at Borussia Dortmund, Edin Terzić, has claimed the winger can still win the Ballon d’Or in the future.
Jadon Sancho returned to Dortmund on loan for the second half of the 2023/24 season, after a feud with former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag. It was during this time where he worked with Edin Terzić, who led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final where they fell short to Real Madrid.
The arrival of Sancho in 2021 was hugely exciting for United fans but has since proved to be a disaster. After failing to perform during his time at the club, the Englishman has spent time on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and now Aston Villa.
He joined the Red Devils in a deal worth £72 million and failed to live up to expectations. Now on loan at Villa, his season has not started positively, with Sancho failing to contribute with any goals and assists so far and not making an impact on the team.
United could be set to swallow their pride by allowing Sancho to leave for free in the summer, with his contract set to expire. Although the club have the option to extend his contract for a further year, it remains to be seen whether they will trigger this in the hope they can accumulate a fee for the forward.
Terzić explains how Sancho can win the Ballon d’Or
Before signing for United, Sancho was one of the best young players in world football due to his impressive displays in the Bundesliga.
At age 21, Sancho’s career looked destined for the top before making the move back to Manchester. However, it is clear that his career has took a turn, and despite his obvious talent, he has struggled to reach the levels he once showed.
When he returned to Dortmund in 2024, his performances improved and his smile came back. He showed glimpses of the exciting player we saw during his first stint in Germany.
In a recent interview with the Telegraph, former Dortmund manager, Edin Terzić, discussed some of his former players, including Sancho, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham. He said “All those players can win the Ballon d’Or in the future. Even Jadon.”
Terzić also compared Sancho to the current Ballon d’Or holder, Ousmane Dembele, by saying “from the talent point of view, if you talk about Jadon then maybe five years ago you would talk about Ousmane Dembélé in the same way.”
He also explained how Sancho can reach the top again. Terzić said, “I am talking about the talent and potential. The difference is Erling will reach this level if he stays hungry: Jadon will only reach this level if he keeps smiling – and Jude needs to do both.”
Whilst also addressing Sancho’s issues off the pitch, his former manager explained how he got the best out of the winger. “On the pitch, I tried to reach the joy of the child in Jadon – off the pitch, the professional athlete in Jadon.”
Sancho clashed with former United manager Ten Hag because of issues with his professionalism, which seems to have played a big role in his career’s decline.
Is the Ballon d’Or really achievable?
Sancho’s start to life in claret and blue has not been ideal. Villa currently sit 11th in the Premier League, and the Man Utd loanee has failed to register a goal contribution.
At age 25, the trajectory of Sancho’s career suggests the Ballon d’Or is very unlikely. With the forward’s contract set to expire at the end of this season, another move looks most likely.
Whether a permanent move to Villa arises or another move materialises, it would be a surprise if the Englishman is targeted by top clubs next summer.
Time is running out for Sancho to get his career back on track, and whilst not impossible, the Ballon d’Or feels like an unrealistic target for his future. However, time will tell with his Aston Villa career just beginning, but his days as a Manchester United player are numbered as it seems there is no future for him under Amorim.
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