Jadon Sancho was back on the pitch for Borussia Dortmund in the club's first pre-season game ahead of the 2020/21 season, and the Englishman is excited about the future for BVB with a host of young players - including fellow Brit Jude Bellingham - impressing in Bad Ragaz.

Sancho, 20, was back in action for Dortmund for the first time since the final game of the 2019/20 season on 27 June as BVB's preparations for the upcoming campaign stepped up with a friendly against SC Rheindorf Altach.

Sancho played the first 45 minutes of the game alongside the likes of Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Gio Reyna in what ended in a 6-0 victory for Lucien Favre's side - and the England international was delighted to be back on the pitch with his array of talented young teammates.

"I love playing with this lot," Sancho told BVB.TV after the game. "It's a special bunch. We've got some special young players coming up."

Having joined Dortmund at the same age as Bellingham, just 17, Sancho - now at 20 - already sees himself as a leader for the next batch of young talents breaking into the Dortmund first-team and the winger is ready to support them during their first weeks and months with the squad.

"I'm really happy to share the pitch with them and guide them. I was once in their shoes, playing with the seniors. I'm happy for them," he said. "I joined when I was 17, some of the lads are the same age. I've been there and done that. I can guide them in what's good and what isn't. I can hopefully motivate them as well."

Watch: All of Sancho's goals and assists in 2019/20

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Jadon Malik

Sancho

Borussia Dortmund

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Sancho was not among the goals his first half appearance, but Bellingham contributed to two goals on his Dortmund debut while Haaland bagged a brace before half-time.

But what more motivation could be there for his young colleagues than to look to replicate Sancho's incredible form since joining Dortmund in the summer of 2017. Since his arrival in the Bundesliga, the rising star has added 30 goals and 34 assists in 78 Bundesliga games to his name in just two-and-a-half seasons.

The 2019/20 campaign was his most productive to date, with only Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski contributing to more league goals than Sancho's 17 strikes and 16 assists and the England international will be looking to producing even more jaw-dropping numbers in the upcoming season.

About the clubs

Borussia Dortmund

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