Sancho transfer can spur Arsenal and Chelsea target to stardom

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 Jan 2024 18:56 GMT
• 3 min read

The real Jadon Sancho and the 'next Jadon Sancho' are finally united.

The return of the Manchester United outcast has led to a quite intriguing dynamic at Borussia Dortmund. The 23-year-old is now a teammate of the man who was signed to replace him: Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.

Yet, this is not necessarily a bad thing for young Bynoe-Gittens. On the contrary, despite the arrival of his illustrious predecessor, the 19-year-old could benefit massively from this transfer. In fact, it could spur him on to reach greater heights.

Thus far, Bynoe-Gittens has failed to live up to the 'next Sancho' moniker, but he did show signs of immense promise during the first half of this season. The competition from Sancho could help him get to the next level, and it is already clear that he will relish the challenge.

Bynoe-Gittens impresses on Sancho return

Sancho, who hasn't started a competitive game of football since last season, began Dortmund's first game after the Bundesliga winter break on the bench. Fellow Premier League arrival Ian Maatsen, on loan from Chelsea, immediately came into the starting eleven at left-back.

More intriguing than Maatsen's full debut was what head coach Edin Terzic did further up the pitch. He started Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Donyell Malen on the wings, but not in their usual positions. Perhaps due to reports that Malen was unhappy about being used on the right wing earlier in the campaign, the Dutchman began on the left and Bynoe-Gittens on the right.

Despite Malen getting his wish, it was Bynoe-Gittens who impressed most against Darmstadt, notching a brilliant assist for Julian Brandt's opening goal and almost causing an own goal minutes later.

Coach Terzic, who is now supported by former BVB luminaries Nuri Sahin and Sven Bender as his assistants after a disappointing start to the campaign, likely did this with Sancho in mind. Once the Man Utd flop regains his full match sharpness, he will likely expect to become the starter on the left wing, though he did eventually replace Bynoe-Gittens on the right as a substitute.

Therefore, it is imperative to get Bynoe-Gittens up and running on the right, especially as there is still no clarity regarding Malen's future. If he leaves, Bynoe-Gittens will be an undisputed starter. But if he stays, the youngster will have to seriously fight for his place in the side.

Either way, if he keeps playing like he did against Darmstadt, he will quickly become undroppable for Edin Terzic and links to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea will quickly reappear.