Chelsea's Jadon Sancho may not feel the 'love' Enzo Maresca thinks he needs if Noni Madueke continues to start and Alejandro Garnacho is signed.
After falling out of favor at Manchester United, Sancho arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer with a point to prove – and it seemed for all the world he had done just that after his first few appearances in blue.
The winger was named player of the match when he came off the bench to make his debut against Bournemouth in September. However, he was unable to maintain that form. Colleague Madueke, dubbed one of Chelsea's 'best players' by boss Maresca, is often favoured, and as such competition for places could well increase.
Garnacho, one of the Red Devils' standout strikers, has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford in January after it was announced that his club would reportedly listen to offers for all first-team players to raise money and to comply with Premier League profit and regulations. Sustainability rules. If his ex-teammate moves to London, Sancho's position in the Blues squad could be further threatened.
“Jadon helped us a lot,” Maresca said when asked about Sancho after his debut against the Cherries. “What he did tonight is exactly what we expected from him.
“I know Jadon very well because I have seen him many times in the past, and I know what he can give us. And also Christo [Nkunku] was excellent, not only because he scored, but also because he fought without the ball. Jadon was exactly the same.
“Jadon is a man who needs to feel love,” Maresca noted. “This is what I thought when I spoke to him before he came to us. He also has the desire to show who he is. But for me he should just enjoy football. It's the reason they play; they are happy and want to enjoy football.”
Sancho has featured in 11 of the 21 top-flight games this season, contributing two goals and four assists. But things could now change after Maresca's recent revelation and what's happening with the Garnacho situation.
'I'm considering Noni [Madueke] one of our best players, to be honest,” the Italian admitted before the 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth earlier this week, suggesting Madueke will be a key part of Chelsea's plans in the second half of the season.
While this in itself may not seem disastrous for Sancho, combined with the arrival of Garnacho, it could be. According to The Athletic, the Blues have 'made inquiries' for Garnacho, who is expected to cost around £60 million after Napoli already rejected one bid for the star.
Should Maresca and Chelsea act on their reported interest and snap up the youngster, Sancho would likely fall even further down the pecking order in favor of his former teammate. And since Maudeke is clearly a big part of Maresca's plans, the question remains where that leaves Sancho in all of this.
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