Failed Football Transfers: Jadon Sancho - from Borussia Dortmund Star to Manchester United Flop

Welcome to Failed Football Transfers, where we dive into moves that didn’t live up to the hype!

In the first episode, we look at one of Manchester United’s most expensive signings - Jadon Sancho and how his dream move to the Theatre of Dreams turned into a nightmare. Let’s find out.

Sancho’s football journey began at Watford before moving to Manchester City. In 2017, at just 17 years old, he made a bold move to Borussia Dortmund, where he thrived, recording 114 goal contributions in 137 appearances over four years. By 2021, he was one of the brightest young stars in world football, and Manchester United came calling, splashing a whopping £73 million; securing his signature for the next four years. The 21-year-old was supposed to be the missing piece in the Red Devils' attack and his return to England was seen as the next step of his journey towards global fame.

But the hype didn’t translate on the pitch. In his debut season at Old Trafford, Sancho managed just five goals and three assists - numbers far below what was expected from a player of his calibre. Despite flashes of brilliance, consistency eluded him. The pressure of the Premier League and his hefty price tag started weighing heavy. In the 2022-23 season, Sancho showed signs of improvement under United manager Erik Ten Hag, but injuries, form, and confidence hampered his progress.

Things took a turn for the worse when reports began to surface about tension between Sancho and Ten Hag. Tensions boiled over when the Dutchman publicly criticized Sancho’s training efforts after multiple exclusions from the squad. Sancho hit back on social media, denying the accusations, which exposed a fractured relationship between the player and manager. This public fallout marked the beginning of the end for Sancho at United.

In January 2024, Sancho returned to Dortmund on loan, scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists in 21 outings. Despite patching things up with Ten Hag, his future at United remained uncertain. Chelsea swooped in during the 2024 summer transfer window, offering Sancho a fresh start under Enzo Maresca. United, eager to offload the underperforming winger, agreed to a one-year loan deal with an obligation to buy for £25 million, a steep price drop from United’s initial investment.

For Sancho, the move to Chelsea offers a second chance, a chance at redemption to prove that the hype surrounding his name wasn’t misplaced. For United, it marks the end of an expensive experiment that ultimately failed. Can he find redemption at Chelsea? Only time will tell. Thanks for watching Failed Football Transfers and we'll be back with some more. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more episodes! See you next time.