AliousTwo childhood friends, who honed their skills together at the Lausanne Sport academy, recently made their international debuts for Switzerland, experiencing contrasting fortunes that could impact their potential reunion at Leeds United in the Premier League next season.
Isaac Schmidt, now 25, fondly recalled the first time he witnessed a young Alvyn Sanches, then just seven years old, dazzling with a football.
Despite the three-year age gap, Schmidt was struck by Sanches’ exceptional talent, describing him as “already so good” and “technically too strong” even when pitted against more seasoned players.
Fast forward to the present, and Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is said to be eyeing a £7 million summer swoop for Sanches, the 22-year-old Lausanne Sport star.
The prospect of the two friends reuniting at Elland Road seemed tantalizingly close—until fate intervened.
During Switzerland’s 1-1 draw against Northern Ireland on Friday night at Windsor Park, both Schmidt and Sanches made their senior international bows.
Schmidt earned high praise from Swiss boss Murat Yakin, who “really liked” what he saw from the £2.5 million Leeds signing. Sanches, too, impressed, injecting energy into a faltering Swiss side and nearly setting up a late winner.
However, in stoppage time, disaster struck. Sanches crumpled to the ground, gripping his knee in agony after slipping on a bouncing ball.
Yakin’s post-match optimism quickly turned to concern as he admitted, “It didn’t look good. He’s still in pain. We can’t say anything specific yet, but it would be extremely bitter if it’s serious.”
For Sanches, who has previously endured a three-month layoff due to a knee injury, this latest setback could jeopardize not only the remainder of his current season but also his aspirations for the next.
Having returned to Lausanne Sport for further evaluation, the French-born forward now faces an anxious wait for a diagnosis.
Leeds United, reportedly keen on his versatility across the attacking line, may also be holding their breath as they await news.
Sanches had been poised to leave Lausanne this summer, with his sights set on a bigger stage. While he dreams of one day donning Barcelona’s iconic colors, he knows a stepping-stone club is a more realistic next move—a place where he can grow and flourish in a top European league.
Leeds, with its track record of nurturing talents like Raphinha, could be that platform.
Farke, intent on signing a new number ten, sees Sanches as a prime candidate. But with the extent of his injury still unclear, both player and club are left in limbo, their plans hanging in the balance as the coming days promise to bring clarity—or further uncertainty.
Alious
