As Manchester slept on Friday night, fans across the city were setting alarms for tickets to a much-anticipated concert at Heaton Park. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho was preparing for a homecoming of his own. Raised a Chelsea fan in London, Sancho, who grew up in the southeast, was about to embark on a new chapter of his career. By Sunday afternoon, he was at Stamford Bridge, dressed in a fresh Chelsea blue kit, waving to fans and watching his new team battle Crystal Palace to a 1-1 draw.
Though he didn’t play in the match, Sancho’s arrival generated plenty of buzz. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca spoke highly of his new signing, emphasizing Sancho’s ability to unlock defenses that sit deep and frustrate teams. However, Maresca also stressed that Chelsea’s issue in the Palace game wasn’t about lacking creativity, but rather failing to convert the many clear chances they had.
“When you face a team like today and you don’t create, you can say, ‘Okay, we need this player or that player in this position,’” Maresca explained. “But with this kind of game, where even with a low block we had five, six, or seven clear chances, there are not many more things you can do to win.”
In essence, Maresca suggested that Sancho, who wasn’t signed in time to play, wouldn’t have drastically changed the outcome. It was hardly the most exciting start for Sancho, and raised questions about Chelsea’s pursuit of another young winger in the final hours of the transfer window.
From a distance, the rationale for signing Sancho is clear. If Chelsea can rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe’s most coveted players, then a year-long loan with an eventual fee between £20-25 million could be a bargain. After all, Manchester United paid nearly three times that amount to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
However, if the gamble fails, Chelsea’s misstep won’t be as costly as their high-profile signings like Raheem Sterling or Mykhailo Mudryk. Moreover, Sancho’s permanent contract, expected next summer, will reportedly be incentive-based, featuring a reduced base salary.
For Sancho, though, the stakes are much higher. His peak form at Dortmund feels like a distant memory, despite glimpses of his old self during his loan return last season. His performance in the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain was a reminder of what he’s capable of, but consistency has been elusive. Sancho’s absence from the England squad for Euro 2024 wasn’t surprising, as his decline has been steady.
After his public fallout with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, a fresh start seemed inevitable. Despite a brief attempt to patch things up this summer, it became clear Sancho needed a change, leading to his Chelsea move.
Yet, Chelsea may not be the ideal environment for him. The club’s lack of stability and patience doesn’t bode well for a player in need of both. Maresca, like all Chelsea managers, faces constant pressure to deliver immediate results. With an array of expensive options at his disposal, he may not be inclined to wait for Sancho to rediscover his best form.
For now, Sancho remains optimistic about his future under Maresca, believing the Italian’s style of play suits his own. “I’m really excited to be here,” Sancho said. “London is where I grew up, and I’m happy to be back. They’re signing me for a reason, and I’m ready to contribute. I enjoy his style of play. He loves the wingers to go one versus one, and we play a lot of one-twos. It’s a very attractive style, and it’s a style that I play.”
Time will tell if Sancho can reignite his career in London and live up to the potential that once made him a star.