Carragher's right and wrong about Sancho

Jamie Carragher was right to say Jadon Sancho has underperformed at Man United, but he forgets that before arriving at Old Trafford, he was one of the most promising English talents in Europe.

When it comes to Sancho, Carragher – the former Liverpool center-back – claims he “doesn’t know what this player’s strengths are.” From a Premier League perspective, that’s not wrong at all.

After three years at Man United, Sancho left behind more than just disappointment. £72.9 million cost him a few fleeting moments of brilliance, while for the most part, he was invisible on the pitch. Therefore, it's hard to argue that Sancho has been labeled a "major failure" at Old Trafford.

But the problem is, that comment only applies to the English version of Sancho, and doesn't reflect the person he was at Dortmund.

Memories at Signal Iduna Park

Anyone who followed the Bundesliga from 2018-2021 knows that Sancho is a player of distinction. In the three seasons before joining Manchester United, he was directly involved in 109 goals - second only to Raheem Sterling (110) among English players, and ahead of Harry Kane (106) and Marcus Rashford (94).

It wasn't just about the numbers; it was about the image of a bold, creative Sancho in tight spaces, intelligently combining with teammates and capable of deciding matches in the Champions League. At that time, £72.9 million wasn't a crazy gamble. In the same summer, Man City spent £100 million on Jack Grealish, and the Sancho deal was considered a better value.

Sancho is having a breakout season at Dortmund.

Upon arriving in the Premier League, Sancho was no longer the same player. This was partly due to the more demanding environment: the speed, physicality, and directness of the English style meant his ability to handle tight spaces didn't develop as well as it did in Germany.

Partly because Manchester United themselves were caught in a spiral of instability: constant managerial changes, an unclear playing philosophy, and a tense atmosphere off the pitch. In this context, Sancho's performance and attitude declined.

In recent years, Sancho has not only performed poorly but also lost confidence. Chelsea's decision to break the buyout agreement this summer – despite agreeing to pay a £5 million penalty – is evidence of the hesitation of big clubs. If Aston Villa hadn't swooped in at the last minute, Sancho might have been in an even more dire situation.

Carragher was right to say that it's difficult to imagine "what makes Sancho so good" based on his Premier League performances. He was right to categorize him as a failed signing for United. But he was wrong to equate that failed version with the player who once captivated all of Europe at Dortmund.

At MU, Sancho was a mere shadow of his former self.

Sancho was once an inspiration, daring to leave Man City at a very young age to forge his own path and achieve resounding success abroad. This is not the story of an "ordinary" player, but of a talent who was once expected to become a mainstay of the England national team.

What about the future?

At 25, Sancho still has a chance to rewrite his career. The loan move to Aston Villa is like an "emergency escape." He will have to prove that he is not just a shadow of his former self, but can return to the form that once made him one of the best young stars in Europe.

If he fails once more, Sancho's only remaining legacy will be a reminder of the stark gap between potential and reality – and that sometimes, the wrong environment can stifle an entire career.

Carragher is right to criticize the current Sancho, but he misses a crucial part of the story: this player was once a testament to the ambition and talent of the young English generation. Sancho's current career is a wake-up call for all clubs: potential, no matter how great, can be wasted if the right person isn't placed in the right environment.

Source: https://znews.vn/carragher-dung-va-sai-ve-sancho-post1584286.html