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    Borussia Dortmund's Lucien Favre: Jadon Sancho Still Has 'a Lot to Learn'

    Gill Clark@@gillclarkyFeatured Columnist IIMarch 4, 2019

    DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 24: Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Signal Iduna Park on February 24, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
    TF-Images/Getty Images

    Borussia Dortmund starlet Jadon Sancho still has "a lot to learn" and must match his talent with hard work, according to manager Lucien Favre.

    The 18-year-old has starred for the Bundesliga side this season, but the team's form has dipped in recent weeks and Favre says his players need to apply themselves, per Stephan Uersfeld at ESPN FC.

    "Jadon is very talented, but also only 18 years old," he said. "At that age, you go through a lot of ups and downs. He has a lot of potential, but also still a lot to learn. They [the young Dortmund players] all have talent but, without work, talent does not exist. It's 10 per cent talent and 90 per cent work."

    Sancho has scored nine goals and contributed 11 goals for Dortmund this season, and he was named the Bundesliga player of the month for October:

    Scouted Football @ScoutedFtbl

    Jadon Sancho (18) is the Bundesliga's Player of the Month for October: 🦁 3 appearances 🦁 3 goals 🦁 1 assist Directly involved in a Bundesliga goal every 63 minutes. https://t.co/bEH9cXTqHz

    His form also saw him called up to the senior England squad, and he made his full debut against the United States in a friendly in November.

    Borussia Dortmund's Lucien Favre: Jadon Sancho Still Has 'a Lot to Learn'
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    Sancho's impressive impact at Dortmund has also seen him linked with a move to some of Europe's top clubs.

    Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are both keen on the winger who could cost £100 million, according to James Ducker at the Daily Telegraph.

    Meanwhile, Dortmund have seen a nine-point lead at the top of the table wiped out after a poor run of results, including a 2-1 defeat to Augsburg on Friday.

    Dortmund's English midfielder Jadon Sancho reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund in Augsburg, southern Germany on March 1, 2019. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) / RESTRICTIONS: DFL REG
    CHRISTOF STACHE/Getty Images

    Former Dortmund midfielder Matthias Sammer was critical of Dortmund's immaturity after the damaging loss at the SGL Arena, per Eurosport (h/t Goal's Chris Burton).

    He said: "This is Borussia Dortmund, where people think: 'We are already the German champion.' But they are immature. You could see it for some time now."

    Dortmund are also on the brink of an exit from the UEFA Champions League. They host Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of their last 16 tie on Tuesday but are 3-0 down from the first leg.

    Sancho offered a glimpse of his talents in the defeat at Wembley Stadium:

    Darren Fletcher @DFletcherSport

    Almost home after a fantastic night at Wembley. Spurs outstanding in the second half. Son with another big goal, Vertonghen superb, Winks so mature in midfield. Saw enough of Jadon Sancho in the first half to wet the appetite. All in all a great game to commentate on ⚽️

    Dortmund and Favre will need Sancho to recapture his best form if they are to complete a remarkable turnaround against Spurs, and he is expected to start the match at Signal Iduna Park.

    Sancho has already shown this season just what an exciting prospect he is, and Favre's comments show he's keen to ensure the youngster lives up to his full potential.