Sancho left out of England U-19s after missing training
Sancho's future in doubt as he fails to turn up to City training on several occasions
Dortmund fine Sancho 100k & make him train individually after returning late from England duty
Dropped to Dortmund U23s after being late several times for training
Dropped from England World Cup qualifier after being late to team meeting
Fined for breaking COVID restrictions, brands it an "absolute joke" on Twitter
Benched for Barca vs. Dortmund after missing team meeting
Rumours of Dortmund dropping him for two weeks due to breaking quarantine rules
Now some of the above might be bollocks, but there are
way too many stories like this to suggest that Sancho doesn't have a history of discipline problems. He even started his career here by decided he would sack off linking up with the team and going on holiday instead, despite having barely played in the Euros.
He won't be the first young, talented player to experience growing pains like this and he won't be the last. He can still turn it round in this respect, and maybe he already has begun doing so even if the performances on the pitch haven't improved... but on WHAT PLANET do you offer a 21 year old kid a £350k a week, 5 + 1 year contract when he has a history of discipline and focus issues?
Even the most dedicated, disciplined 21 year old on the planet would be affected motivationally by receiving such a reward at such a tender age, nevermind one who has clearly demonstrated that he needs extra careful nurturing, guidance and discipline.
It was absolutely negligent of Woodward to hand out this contract. This hopefully will be the last of his big mistakes we have to resolve over the next couple of years.
Ten Hag will have a job on his hands navigating this situation when he has a dressing room including multiple Champions League winners, World Cup winners, players that work their bollocks off every week on less than Sancho when he's turning in performances like he has been. I believe Ten Hag is the man to do it, but he's been given a hospital pass by the previous regime on this one just like he was with Ronaldo.