Jadon Sancho was told to play right-back for Manchester City to combat a “very, very confident” attitude that could “scare” coaches.

Manchester City had to play Jadon Sancho at right back to help combat his confidence in his own ability in the academy.

The 24-year-old spent two years in city ​​manyouth system after joining from WatfordEdit in 2015 after eight years with the Hornets.

In those two years, he became one of the highest-rated youngsters in the world, attracting interest from all over Europe.

Former City academy coach Darren Bowman used to work closely with sancho during his time in the lower categories of Ciudadanos.

And speaking exclusively to talkSPORT.com, Bowman described the incredible amount of talent and confidence the winger had from a young age.

“I really enjoyed working with him when he came to the club,” Bowman said. “He was a mercurial talent, there's no doubt about it. A complete nonconformist.

“He was incredibly talented, but when you have someone who believes so much in his ability, something Jadon surely had in abundance, you have to know how to handle it.”

City then attempted to manage Sancho by making him focus on football as a team game and exposing him to the impact he had in other positions.

Bowman continued: “He is an extremely talented footballer who, when he plays well, is a pleasure to watch.

“But he is very, very confident. A lot of confidence in his ability. I think some coaches and managers might be a little scared of that.

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“For me, I encouraged him because I wanted to see him express himself and develop. However, at the same time, you must understand that it is also a team game.

“So when we had him, we played him at right back, so he understood what it would be like to play behind him on the wing.

“We wouldn't do it for full games, it would just be for 15 or 20 minutes because he learned so quickly.”

The impact this had on Sancho was clearly positive, as he would become one of the most sought-after wingers in Europe.

He eventually left Man City to join Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for around £8 million and its high potential was realized.

And that led to a £73 million move back to England to manchester united where unfortunately his career took a step back.

After a public fight with the manager Erik ten Hag after a “lack of performance” in training, he was exiled from United squad until he apologized.

sancho refused to He apologized and was then loaned back to Dortmund last summer.

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It seemed his overconfident attitude that came across at Man City may have gotten the better of him while at Old Trafford, but Bowman believes the right manager can help him get back to his best.

He explained: “It's like any player, if you know them and have the ability to manage them, you can get the best out of them.

“Whatever happens, but what I do know about Jadon is that if he gets back into the right environment for him and under the right leadership that understands him and embraces him, we will see him get back to his best very quickly. .

“For me, it makes me a little sad and frustrated for Jadon.

“I don't know the ins and outs and why this situation is the way it is, but what I can say is that when he gets the right leadership, the right environment and the right platform, you will see Sancho.”