Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho: "I've got to show people I'm not a one-hit wonder"
Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho says he is prepared to meet growing expectations after a breakout campaign for club and country.
Playing only his second season in Germany's top flight after leaving the Manchester City youth academy for Dortmund as a 17-year-old in summer 2017, Sancho amassed 12 goals and a Bundesliga-high 14 assists in 34 league appearances as BVB finished runners-up to Bayern Munich in 2018/19. The 19-year-old winger also earned his first senior international caps for England.
Sancho admits there are some who expect him to stumble on the back of such an impressive season, but is focusing purely on maintaining his dizzying standards.
"It's crazy what's happened because I'm still only 19 and things like that usually happen when you're 23 or 24. Now it's about keeping that level," six-time England international Sancho told SoccerBible.
"People are waiting for me to dip so they can say I'm a one-hit wonder.
"I just need to keep playing and hope I stay clear of injuries. I just have to keep working hard and helping the team. That's the main thing."
Watch: A closer look at what makes Jadon Sancho so effective
Sancho made 26 starts and featured in every one of Dortmund's Bundesliga matches last season, further vindicating his decision to move to Germany in search of his professional breakthrough.
"When I left City, people doubted me. They said: 'Oh, you shouldn't leave Pep Guardiola'. But I thought it was best for me," he explained.
"I'll always love Pep and the club because they signed me from Watford and helped me to develop into who I am today, and of course I'm also grateful to Dortmund. I've been able to take the next step there.
"I'm thankful to everyone who has been part of my journey so far."
The next phase of Sancho's journey begins on 17 July, when Dortmund kick off their pre-season tour of the USA with a friendly against Seattle Sounders, before taking on Liverpool in a reunion with former coach, Jürgen Klopp.
A Supercup showdown with Bayern on 3 August represents the Black-Yellows' first competitive outing of 2019/20, ahead of a trip to third-tier Uerdingen in the DFB Cup first round six days later.
Sancho and Co. welcome Augsburg to the Signal Iduna Park in their opening Bundesliga fixture of the new season on 17 August.
Related news
BVB Legends draw at Anfield
Jürgen Klopp was in the dugout once more as Dortmund's Legends team faced Steven Gerrard an Co. in Liverpool.
Chukwuemeka scores on Austria debut
It was a senior international bow to remember for the Dortmund midfielder, who could now be on his way to the World Cup...
Germany's World Cup squad - who could still make the cut?
Several players are heading into the final months of the season with a point to prove to Julian Nagelsmann...