Jadon Sancho: "Axel Witsel a big role model of mine"

Eighteen-year-old Sancho is enjoying what has become his breakout season as a professional, earning his first of three senior England caps in October following a string of eye-catching performances for Dortmund.

Witsel, 30, joined BVB in the summer, fresh from helping Belgium to a third-placed finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

"All players give me advice, but Axel really gets behind me," Sancho revealed. "Axel is a big role model for me. He's a massive inspiration for us young players and everyone looks up to him because he's such a fantastic player. He's made over 100 international appearances. I hope I can achieve that one day."

Watch: What makes Jadon Sancho such and asset?

Earlier in the season, Witsel tipped Sancho to become one of the best wingers in the world, likening the ex-Manchester City youth product to Belgium teammate and Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard.

"Jadon's doing really well," the former Standard Liege, Benfica, Zenit and Tianjin Quanjian midfielder said. "I think if he stays like this and keeps working hard he can become one of the best wingers in the world. He reminds me of Eden Hazard, and there's no reason he can't be as good as him one day."

Sancho, who is the first millennial to play for England, registered seven goals and nine assists in all competitions for Dortmund during the first half of the season. And although the Bundesliga leaders are six points clear of defending champions Bayern Munich at the halfway stage, the Londoner is not thinking about a maiden league title just yet.

"We know Bayern are right behind us," Sancho warned. "It's only six points. We have to keep working hard."

Sancho is expected to make his 18th Bundesliga appearance of the campaign and 30th since joining Dortmund from Man City in summer 2017, when the Black-Yellows resume their title quest away to RB Leipzig on 19 January.

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