By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 21 (Xinhua) -- He is one of Europe's best footballing prospects and many see the London-born ahead of a brilliant international career. Yet despite rumors talking about him being worth over 100 million euros and a target of top sides such as Real Madrid and Manchester United, Jadon Sancho still has to fight concerns about his future.
The 19-year-old is aware of skeptics and ready to "prove that I am no one-hit-wonder," as the Borussia Dortmund winger commented after a brilliant 2018-19 season.
He not only enchanted millions of fans in Germany but made his debut for the England national team. The 12 goals and 18 assists Sancho bagged last season has raised the expectations on him further.
"I know many expect that I might fail, but I am desperate to prove it was the right step to join Dortmund," the former Citizens' youngster underlined, adding he is ready to achieve new goals with the Blacks and Yellows.
"I want to win titles."
Despite being praised for his unique skills, Sancho still needs to develop, his club coach Lucien Favre emphasized, while on tour in the USA. "He knows what is needed, its hard work to reach the next level and keep it," the Swiss said.
Sancho's requirements couldn't be more promising when it comes to his admirers such as Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp and former England captain Wayne Rooney. Klopp admitted to being a huge fan of the Dortmund winger after the 2019 Champions League winners defeat Sancho's German side 3-2 in a friendly.
"Being good in big spaces and small spaces makes you a pretty interesting player. That's what Jadon is," the 51-year-old LFC coach said, adding he expects Dortmund to be one of Europe's top sides in 2019-20.
"The team's quality is enormous. They have top quality on every position and are double staffed," Klopp commented.
Manchester United legend Rooney, meanwhile in the shirt of MLS club DC United in Washington, praised Sancho's move to Germany as "there is nothing more important for a youngster than to play. As he is getting these playing minutes in Dortmund, it is the right thing to stay."
Sancho is still talking about his deep feelings for the Citizens and admits to "still love Pep" but makes clear "I wanted to do the next step and get along in a club abroad."
With many new arrivals such as the German internationals Julian Brandt, Nico Schulz, Thorgan Hazard and Mats Hummels ahead of the new season, the competition in Dortmund's squad is high. Everyone will have to fight for a place among the starting 11, including him.
"I don't feel any pressure," the Dortmund forward said with a week of intense work on the club's training ground and a week in the team's second pre-season preparation camp in Bad Ragaz in Switzerland ahead.
The striker is trying to take things as comfortable as possible and ease the load on his young shoulders. Looking at his growing efforts on the training pitch, Sancho seems just doing the right thing, counting on the strategy to instead deliver action than new statements.
