Jadon Sancho has struggled for consistency on loan at Chelsea and questions have been asked about his future – but he has certainly left an impression on Enzo Maresca
Jadon Sancho has had a tough time finding his groove at Stamford Bridge, sparking debates about his future.
However, he’s managed to make a positive impression on boss Enzo Maresca with his training ground attitude.
Sancho made the switch to Chelsea on a season-long loan from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, and it looks like the Blues are set to secure a high enough league position to activate the clause for a permanent deal.
Despite this, the 24-year-old winger hasn’t scored or set up a goal since January, raising questions about his contributions moving forward.
Ex-Chelsea ace William Gallas has weighed in, suggesting that Sancho “can’t stay” with the club. He pointed out that while Sancho initially showed glimpses of his Borussia Dortmund brilliance, his performance levels have since dipped.
Gallas insists that a starting winger at a club gunning for Champions League glory needs to step up their game.
In Sunday’s clash against Arsenal, Sancho was in the starting lineup but failed to make an impact as Chelsea succumbed to a 1-0 loss without really testing keeper David Raya.
Rumours suggest that Maresca’s squad could pay a fee to Manchester United to dodge the £25million buy-out clause, and Gallas reckons that might just be the smart play, reports the Mirror.
However, it was Maresca who pushed for Chelsea’s summer swoop for Sancho. Unless the Italian gaffer’s opinion has shifted, it seems he values what Sancho brings to the training pitch above everything else.
“Very happy, very happy for him. He was very good,” Maresca gushed back in September while chatting about Sancho. “I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love. This is what I thought when I spoke with him before he joined us.
“Also I know he has the desire to show the player he is, but for me, it is just to enjoy football. This is the reason why they play.”