FourFourTwo December 2021 5115
JADOn SAnCHO
Age 21 Club Manchester United
Nationality English
Position WingerTHE LOWDOWN Sancho gambled when
swapping Manchester City for Borussia
Dortmund in 2017 – but his move paid off
handsomely as he rocketed to superstardom
wearing yellow and black. In four seasons
he illuminated the Ruhr valley with 54 goals
and 67 assists, establishing himself as one
of the Bundesliga’s most enjoyable talents.
Erling Haaland’s arrival in January 2020
immediately created a new partnership
feared across Germany, and for a while the
pair made merry; Dortmund cashed in this
summer to the tune of €85m from United.
Sadly, things haven’t gone too well for the
elegant winger: Sancho was barely used by
Gareth Southgate at Euro 2020, then missed
from the spot in the final shootout against
Italy. His first months at Old Trafford were
disappointing – but only because he set the
bar so high in Dortmund. Class is permanent.
DID YOU KNOW? Despite representing both
Manchester clubs, Sancho is a Chelsea fan.
BEST MOMENT Two goals and an assist in
BVB’s 4-1 DFB-Pokal final demolition of RB
Leipzig last May.16
BUKAYO SAKA
Age 20 Club Arsenal
Nationality English
Position WingerTHE LOWDOWN Cesc Fabregas won
Arsenal’s player of the season award just
before his 20th birthday. So did Saka – and
the excitement level is similar. The academy
graduate is a darling of north London who
managed to flourish even when the club
lurched from one disaster to another at the
beginning of the campaign. His versatility
is striking. Is he a winger? A playmaker?
A right-sided midfielder? A left-back? Maybe
a striker? Put him in anywhere and excellent
output is almost guaranteed. Mikel Arteta
trusts Saka completely, and it was hardly
surprising that Gareth Southgate used him
frequently at Euro 2020. Forget the shootout
miss – Saka is key for club and country.
DID YOU KNOW? ‘Bukayo’ means “someone
who adds happiness” in the Yoruba language
of Nigeria. The name suits him perfectly – his
face is always adorned with a grin.
BEST MOMENT No one fancies a derby when
you’re in ropey form – unless your academy
hero steps up with a goal and assist before
half-time to send your rivals packing. Spurs
couldn’t handle Saka in September.22 FOR
2022