Raheem Sterling became aware of Jadon Sancho's mercurial talents earlier than most, after finding himself marking the silky winger in Manchester City training.
Sterling was filling in at right-back against Sancho and has revealed that the former Watford youngster ruined him big-time - so much so that he nearly injured himself as a result.
"First day I'd seen him training with us, I was really happy to see such a talent, Sterling said, as per Sport 360.
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"I always knew he'd become the player he has, for sure. From minute one. I was playing right-back one day in pre-season training and he spun me and I nearly did my back in."
Things didn't quite work at for Sancho at City as he never made a first-team appearance but the 18-year old made the bold decision to head over to Germany and sign for Borussia Dortmund in a £8 million move in 2017.
And while he wasn't thrust into the first-team straight away, he has experienced quite the rise. Fast forward to the present day and Sancho has emerged as a key player for Lucien Favre's side, scoring eight goals and registering 12 assists in the Bundesliga - the most in Europe's top five leagues.
Sterling hailed his bravery in moving to a new country in order to further his career, with the confidence displayed by Sancho reminding the 24-year old of the decision he made to leave London for Liverpool as a youngster.
"When he first mentioned to me he was thinking about going abroad, even though he was a City player, I was happy to hear that from him," Sterling added.
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"To see that confidence, it reminded me of myself when I went to Liverpool.
"To have a couple of London teams and Liverpool to go to, I chose the further option, to have the time out away from my friends. So when he said that to me about going, I knew he had a massive chance to go on to do big things.
"I wouldn't say it's about being scared or frightened in taking a risk, but being mainly content, mainly at ease, and he's gone on and taken a step forward.
"I'm just really happy to see him doing so well. He's doing massive things and I hope he stays level headed and keeps working and keeps learning."
Sterling, who is England's second-most experienced player after Jordan Henderson in terms of caps, is in a good place to offer advice to Sancho after all the scrutiny and pressure he's had to contend with in his career.
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He's told Sancho to remain grounded off the pitch but maintain that swagger about him when he's playing.
"Off the field he is a top lad, and that's the one thing I try to correct him on, off the field, because he's a great person, just try to help him with advice. But on the field, be as arrogant as you want.
"On the field you don't need to be level headed. For me, he just needs to keep doing what he's doing and think the best of his ability because that ability can take him all the way to the top."
Sancho's irresistible form saw him skip the England Under 21's and Gareth Southgate has highlighted how important hte Dortmund No.7 winger is to his plans by saying it is "unlikely" that he will be with Aidy Boothroyd's side for the Under 21 European Championships in the summer.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Football, Pep Guardiola, International Football, England, Man City, Borussia Dortmund, Jadon Sancho, Bundesliga, Raheem Sterling
