Jadon Sancho appears to have found his feet at Chelsea – and his positive form will have caused headaches for Manchester United and Ruben Amorim thanks to what now looks like a contract blunder.
The 24-year-old's burgeoning career appeared to be coming to an end following his mega-money transfer to United in July 2022. From capturing domestic silverware to winning a host of personal accolades at Borussia Dortmund, the young English man looked set to to take his career to the next level. the next level when he moved to Old Trafford.
However, a rocky start turned into a full-blown crisis as the £73m star found himself banished from the first-team set up by former United manager Erik ten Hag after a series of public failures. A loan return to Dortmund in the second half of last season appeared to have revived the winger, but he was soon back at United and on the hunt for a new home.
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea made headlines last summer with their extravagant spending totaling more than £200 million. In fact, their acquisition of Sancho on Transfer Deadline Day remained largely under the radar until the former Manchester City youngster collected an assist for the Blues on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth.
Sancho has made 10 appearances for the Maresca team this season, claiming two goals and five assists as Chelsea sit second in the Premier League. United boss Amorim will be annoyed to learn that the Blues can also impose an obligation to buy Sancho for a cut price of between £20 and £25 million if they finish at least 14th in the table.
With Chelsea well in the hunt for the title in second place and already twelve points above United in thirteenth, it now seems likely that Amorim will not get a chance to work with the winger at all, as West London they are expected to train. the clause. Sancho's move to Stamford Bridge seemed to be a good fit for United on paper, but his surprising return to form will now leave the Red Devils regretting as Amorim tries his best to find a candidate to complement his 3-4-3- system fits.
The Portuguese head coach has tried all kinds of options on the flanks. From Amad and Antony to Tyrell Malacia and Diogo Dalot, Amorim's first five games in charge have seen the club's new head coach struggle for an answer to his wing problem, and it no longer looks like Sancho will find an answer later his prayers could be. .
Although Sancho played mainly on the left flank for Maresca, he did register two assists from the right in a Europa League draw against Bundesliga side Heidenheim. He also played most of his football for Dortmund on the right, scoring 38 of his 67 goals for the club there.
While Amorim might curse the United hierarchy over the clause on Sancho's loan deal, his Chelsea counterpart is delighted with his new signing. After Sancho lit up the pitch in a 4-3 win over Tottenham last weekend – a match in which the 24-year-old scored a wonder goal to kick off the Blues' comeback – Maresca spoke highly of his winger.
“Since we started, the reason why Jadon came here is because we think Jadon is going to help us,” Maresca said. “Unfortunately he had little problems that kept him out for a while. Now he's back and all he has to do is continue in the same way. He can't drop or he's not going to play.”
Meanwhile, it seems Sancho has rediscovered his joy in the game. “From day one they made me feel welcome at Chelsea,” Sancho told Super Sport TV.
“I know that many people have to be proven wrong. I have worked very hard. I would like to thank the staff and team for believing in me and giving me the opportunity.”
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