Jadon Sancho’s situation at Borussia Dortmund is threatening to turn ugly for both parties

Reports indicate that Jadon Sancho was removed from Borussia Dortmund’s starting XI versus Barcelona in yesterday’s Champions League fixture due to disciplinary reasons.

According to the Westdeutscher Rundfunk, Jadon Sancho missed the morning breakfast, team meeting and a mid-day training session leading up to the game against Barcelona. The Englishman came off the bench versus Barcelona and impressed with the lone goal for Borussia Dortmund.

The club has yet to officially comment on this narrative reported by WDR, but we could get some information on the situation at tomorrow’s press conference with Lucien Favre. The Dortmund head coach explained his selection on Wednesday by telling Sky Germany, “We needed eleven players, who are focused and ready on the pitch.”

Sancho said that he wasn’t allowed to speak while passing through the mixed zone yesterday. But earlier today, he surprisingly went public to defend himself on Twitter when attacked by a supporter of the club.

It is mature of Sancho to focus on the upcoming fixtures and not dwell on criticism. It is unclear as to why Sancho missed team events leading up to this fixture. The fact the club allowed him to play at all yesterday as a substitute implies that there might be a justification as to why Sancho wasn’t present for the events.

It is also possible that Dortmund might have excused Sancho’s behaviour in order to let him display his talents versus Barcelona. Success against Barca will only increase his price tag – ultimately benefitting Dortmund.

Nevertheless, it is still a poor precedent to set – allowing a young player that allegedly disregarded team events to play in the match. This whole situation is becoming a bit of a farcical disaster for both the club and the player.

Dortmund supporters must remember the lack of class on display during Ousmane Dembele’s and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s forced transfer from the club. Sancho’s situation is quickly becoming reminiscent of the Ousmane Dembele saga from two years ago. Hopefully, Dortmund supporters do not have to suffer anything similar again.

If the report by WDR is substantiated, it won’t be the first time Sancho has been disciplined by the club this season. In October, he was suspended for the match against Borussia Mönchengladbach for returning late from an international match with the English National team.

The English wonderkid is fancied by many big clubs across Europe. I hope the recent antics by Sancho aren’t tactics employed to push for a transfer. The Independent is reporting that the team is now willing to listen to offers for Sancho during the winter transfer window. The BVB brass is looking to negotiate with anyone willing to pay over £100 million.

It is tough for BVB to compete with the allure from foreign giants. Sancho is an English talent – he will fetch a premium sum. I predict he will shatter all previous Dortmund transfer records.

By most accounts, it appears that Sancho’s time in Dortmund will come to an end this summer. This is not a new storyline for Borussia Dortmund. Part of their team philosophy relies on developing young talent who ultimately desire transfers abroad. Unfortunately, this means more often than they are willing, BVB turn into a selling team. Competing with Europe’s elite while being forced to sell top talent has been detrimental to the club’s European success.

On the other hand, transfer revenue keeps the team profitable, out of debt and able to pay competitive wages domestically. Zorc and crew are one of the best in Europe in scouting, acquiring and developing young talent.

Sancho’s eventual departure will provide opportunities for other youngsters to shine in black and yellow. The club has been preparing for this transfer since Sancho broke out last season. It is now a matter of maximising return on a sale for Sancho – and it seems part of that involves displaying his talents regardless of any unprofessional conduct.

From a Dortmund perspective, let us hope that the situation doesn’t turn too ugly before next summer, and that the Englishman can enjoy an amicable exit from the club.