England’s Jadon Sancho reminds me of Eden Hazard, says Borussia Dortmund teammate Axel Witsel

Belgian midfielder believes England fans are ‘right about the hype’ around 18-year-old winger

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England’s Jadon Sancho (left) celebrates with Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli and Ben Chilwell after they go 1-0 up against USA. Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:01pm, 16 Nov 2018Updated: 4:01pm, 16 Nov 2018

Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho has the potential to be one of the best wingers in the world and could reach Eden Hazard standards, says club teammate Axel Witsel.

“Sancho is really talented. He has a really good future and if he keeps working like he’s doing now – scoring and assisting often – he’s going to be one of the best wingers in the world,” Witsel told the Post in a recent phone interview.

The 18-year-old Englishman’s five goals and eight assists for Dortmund this season earned him his second England cap for Gareth Southgate’s team in the 3-0 friendly win against the USA at Wembley on Thursday. Sancho received his first England cap against Croatia last month.

England’s Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring his first England goal with Jadon Sancho. Photo: Reuters

The ex-Manchester City youth player joined Dortmund in 2017 and has shown moments of brilliance in the Bundesliga and Champions League group stages, with the German outfit currently sitting atop both.

“He’s really young but he already has some experience – we try go help him like all the young guys in the team,” said former Tianjin Quanjian player Witsel.

The 29-year-old paused for a moment to think about Sancho comparisons before giving perhaps the highest praise one could give as a Belgian.

“I will say Hazard, but when Hazard was Sancho’s age, I think he was still one level above,” Witsel said. “But that doesn’t mean Sancho can’t be like Hazard. He has the quality.”