Jadon Sancho faces the risk of unemployment at age 26.

During the fourth round of the 2025/26 Europa League group matches, Jadon Sancho continued his goal drought even when given an opportunity by Unai Emery against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Almost two months on, the Englishman has yet to score or assist for Aston Villa.

Aston Villa’s 2-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 2025/26 Europa League group stage was a commendable result for Unai Emery’s squad. However, while his teammates performed solidly and efficiently, Jadon Sancho once again left fans disappointed.

According to FotMob statistics, Sancho played 75 minutes without scoring, assisting, or even attempting a single shot. At first glance, the stats seem decent: Sancho completed 20 out of 25 passes (80%), created 2 chances, and succeeded in 3 dribbles. Yet, despite a 100% dribbling success rate, this brought no tangible benefit to Aston Villa’s gameplay. His crosses were also inaccurate, with only 1 successful cross out of 5 attempts (20%).

It was a lackluster, truly “invisible” performance from a player once valued at over 100 million euros during his time at Borussia Dortmund. Since joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United nearly two months ago, Sancho has started more than six matches but has yet to make any significant impact. No goals, no assists, no difference.

Ironically, while Sancho struggles to rediscover himself, his former Manchester United teammates like Antony and Marcus Rashford are flourishing. Antony shines brightly at Real Betis with consistent goal-scoring form in both La Liga and the Europa League. Rashford has become a key attacking force for Barcelona with a series of impressive performances. Both prove that the issue isn’t the “red jersey” of Manchester United but rather the individual players themselves.

The question now is: What does Jadon Sancho have left to save himself?

Entering 2026, the English winger will turn 26, the prime age for an attacking star. However, his form remains stagnant, even regressing compared to a few years ago. With his current uninspiring displays, the likelihood of coach Thomas Tuchel calling Sancho up for England’s 2026 World Cup squad is almost zero. Given England’s wealth of attacking talent such as Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Jarrod Bowen, Sancho has long lost his place.

What’s more worrying is that Sancho’s contract with Manchester United expires in June 2026. If his form continues to decline, the prospect of him being “left on the market” is very real. Would any club dare to sign a player once hailed as the “future of English football” but now only a shadow of himself? Even Saudi Arabian clubs, known for offering huge wages to aging stars, might hesitate.

Dele Alli was once one of England’s brightest talents but gradually disappeared from the football scene. Jadon Sancho is on a similar path, though he has yet to realize it. Without an early change in attitude and a rekindled hunger, the grim prospect of “unemployment” like his predecessor could become reality, marking a bitter end for one of the most highly anticipated players of England’s golden generation. Of course, at that point, the dream of the 2026 World Cup for Sancho would also be over.

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