Emre Can tells Jadon Sancho to be more mature, backs Lucien Favre to stay at Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can has called for Jadon Sancho to be more mature after he was fined for breaching DFL rules while getting his haircut at home.

Jadon Sancho and Manuel Akanji were fined by the DFL earlier this week for violating ‘general hygiene and infection protection standards,’ a punishment that the Englishman described as an “absolute joke.” Now Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can has had his say on the matter, saying that although Sancho is a “great kid”, he needs to be smarter in these situations.

Speaking to Sky Germany after Borussia Dortmund’s win over Hertha Berlin, Can said:

"“You have to guide Jadon a bit. He’s a great kid, even off the pitch. I get on very, very well with him. Of course everyone needs a hairdresser at times. But with things like this, he just has to be smarter and more mature. He can no longer afford to make mistakes like this in the future.”“I don’t think he does this to make a scandal or anything. Maybe he’s just not aware of it, maybe he trusts the wrong people sometimes. That’s where we come in, the environment is very important.”"

Can was the star of the show for Borussia Dortmund against Hertha Berlin, as he put on a commanding defensive shift at centre-back, before scoring what proved to be the winner in the second half.

"“We defended well, to my recollection Hertha didn’t have a real chance – and then you have to take your chance. That’s what we did.”“I can definitely get used to this position (centre-back). But I also know that Hummels belongs to this position, he is a world-class player and he will certainly move back to this position.”"

The 26 year old German international was also asked about head coach Lucien Favre, who has been under a lot of scrutiny this season. Many have called for Favre to be sacked at the end of the season, after his failure to lead the Black and Yellows to the Bundesliga title. But Can has backed the Swiss tactician, saying that he hopes to work with Favre for “several more years”.

"“He’s a great coach, 100 percent. Sometimes people complain and talk about the coach, which I personally can’t understand,” Can said.“When you look at the games in the second half (of the season), we have always scored except for two games. He’s a great coach who is a 100 per cent fit for BVB, and I hope I can work with him here for several more years.”"

The win over Hertha Berlin saw Borussia Dortmund go seven points clear of fifth placed Bayer Leverkusen, with only four games to go before the end of the season. While their title charge appears to be over, the Black and Yellows seem to be on course for a second placed finish this season.