Jadon Sancho’s future at Manchester United is under intense scrutiny as the transfer window edges closer to its conclusion. Despite traveling with the squad for their recent Premier League clash against Brighton, Sancho was notably absent from the matchday bench, raising further questions about his role at the club.
Erik ten Hag, addressing his decision, mentioned that Sancho remains part of the squad but emphasized the need for competition in every position. “He’s here. I had a choice to make, and we had some issues,” Ten Hag explained to TNT Sports. He added, “We need a full squad, and he is one of them. He has to compete for his position, and from game to game, we will have a look.”
Sancho has been the subject of transfer speculation, with Chelsea reportedly showing interest in acquiring the winger. Sky Sports has suggested that the Blues could propose a swap deal, offering one of their players in exchange for Sancho, which could present an intriguing option for both clubs.
Three potential Chelsea players could be included in such a swap deal. First, there’s Raheem Sterling, who has been out of favor at Stamford Bridge and is expected to depart before the window closes. A swap involving Sancho and Sterling would see both clubs exchange like-for-like players. However, wages could be a stumbling block in any potential deal. Sterling’s future at Chelsea seems uncertain, and whether United view him as a suitable replacement for Sancho remains to be seen.
Another possible candidate is Ben Chilwell, the left-back who has yet to make an appearance under new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. Chilwell has been training away from the first team, with Maresca hinting that the defender could be on his way out. United’s need for a left-back became more pressing earlier in the window due to Luke Shaw’s injury. While Diogo Dalot has temporarily filled that gap, bringing in Chilwell could provide more depth to the position.
The third option is Carney Chukwuemeka, a highly-rated 20-year-old who, like Sterling and Chilwell, has been sidelined at Chelsea this season. Chukwuemeka, who missed much of last season with a knee injury, is eager to secure more regular playing time. Maresca has even hinted that the young midfielder might benefit from moving elsewhere to gain the game time he needs to develop further. However, Chukwuemeka could face similar competition for minutes at Old Trafford, especially with United closing in on the signing of Manuel Ugarte and an already crowded midfield featuring players like Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, and Christian Eriksen.
As the transfer window nears its close, the possibility of Sancho moving to Chelsea in a swap deal remains one of the most talked-about scenarios. With both clubs looking to bolster their squads for the long season ahead, a deal involving Sancho could provide an intriguing solution for all parties involved. Whether such a move materializes will likely be determined in the final days of the window.