“That has been his problem for years. Even when he was in Manchester City. That was why Pep Guardiola sold him out of the club for just £8 Million not mind all his talents”- Kieron Dyer recalls witnessing Jadon Sancho ‘red flag’ when he watched him as a youngster for Man City. According to Kieron Dyer, who observed Sancho’s development as a youngster at City, the player has always displayed a certain “red flag” that has hindered his progress as a footballer – a flaw that could explain his rocky start at Old Trafford and might even cast doubt over his future with the Red Devils.

Former England international Kieron Dyer recently highlighted a concerning “red flag” he noticed in Jadon Sancho during his early years at Manchester City. Now 24, Sancho was an emerging talent at City before his transfer to Borussia Dortmund in 2017. At Dortmund, he flourished on the global stage. However, Dyer suggested that Sancho’s attitude issues might have influenced Pep Guardiola’s decision to sell him for only £8 million despite his potential.

Sancho is gearing up for a crucial Champions League final at Wembley, where Dortmund will take on Real Madrid. His outstanding performance in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain was key to Dortmund’s success. Nonetheless, Sancho’s career has faced challenges, including a tough stint at Manchester United, leading to his loan back to Dortmund in January 2024.

In an interview with talkSPORT, Kieron Dyer, who also played for Newcastle United, reminisced about observing Sancho in Manchester City’s youth academy. “He was a prodigy, the talk of the academies. When I was coaching and watched Man City, he was unstoppable in the under-18s,” Dyer shared.

Dyer recalled a critical moment that cast doubts on Sancho’s mentality. “At around 17, everyone wanted him – he could dominate any team. In the FA Youth Cup final against Chelsea, Reece James outplayed him, which can happen, but Sancho gave up on his team.”

Dyer elaborated on the incident’s impact. “He mentally checked out. Despite his talent, he quit on his teammates after a bad game. It was strange to see him give up like that, stopping his effort and mentally quitting.”

Since returning to Dortmund, Sancho has scored three goals and provided three assists in 20 matches across all competitions. While he has shown flashes of his skill, the concerns about his mental resilience that Dyer raised continue to be discussed. As Sancho prepares for one of the most crucial matches of his career, his journey remains a blend of extraordinary talent and moments of adversity.