Chelsea be taught Jadon Sancho reality Man Utd and Man City each know as value of ‘mess’ emerges
Jadon Sancho turned 25 this week. But while time remains on his side, Sancho continues to mature into the problem instead of the solution.
Chelsea are now the latest club to discover how expensive and frustrating Sancho can be. The phenomenon that is Deja Vu could have been invented for Sancho. That feeling that someone has lived through the present situation in the past.
When Sancho left Manchester United for Chelsea it felt like a logical deal for all concerned. United had shipped out someone draining the wage bill, without even pulling on the shirt.
Chelsea had landed an exciting talent with a point to prove in English football, while Sancho himself had joined the club he supported growing up.
But fast forward less than seven months and the negative narrative that appears to follow Sancho like a bad smell, has reared its unpalatable head again.
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Some reports suggest Chelsea might not want to sign Sancho on a permanent deal this summer after all. Which might be down to the fact Sancho made a positive start to life at Stamford Bridge, but his form has disappeared down the drain since the start of 2025. He hasn’t scored a goal in his last 18 outings.
Chelsea are still waiting to find out the outcome of the investigation into Mykhailo Mudryk and his provisional ban for alleged doping offences.
Should Mudryk not be able to resume his career with Chelsea, the London club might decide to stick with Sancho after all. But if Sancho is sent back to United, Chelsea will have to shell out compensation for reneging on the deal.
It’s not as simple as Chelsea giving United £5m, but whatever the amount would be, it wouldn’t feel close to being enough to Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United still owe £17m to Borussia Dortmund as part of the initial £78m deal to take Sancho to Old Trafford in the first place in 2021.
But Sancho will be entering the final 12 months of his deal, so United would have to find a new buyer for the winger this summer, trigger the extension, or allow him to leave them for nothing in 2026.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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In other words, it’s a potential mess. The fact Chelsea tried to sign another United winger, Alejandro Garnacho, in the last transfer window, tells us two things.
Chelsea just cannot help themselves and have learned nothing. While Sancho’s future there must be bleak, if Stamford Bridge bosses are targeting new wingers.
Sancho could do everyone a favour and put in some performances. But here’s the thing about Sancho, when it comes to helping himself he appears to struggle.
(Image: MDM)
Almost a decade ago Manchester City had planned to fast-track him into Pep Guardiola’s senior squad. Instead, he was flogged to Dortmund following a row over his contract, which saw Sancho pull out of a pre-season tour to America, then miss training when the team came back.
Two spells at Dortmund have brought the best out of Sancho, unlike his move to United, which resulted in him having a brutal fall-out with Erik ten Hag last season.
When Sancho refused to apologise for his role in the row, United couldn’t get him out the door fast enough. In the meantime, Sancho continues to be overlooked by whoever happens to manage England.
A football career goes fast – and Sancho’s will be gone in a flash unless something changes. And it has to start with him.
