Man Utd looks on in disbelief as Sancho continues to shine at Chelsea.
Image credit: ESPN UK
Jadon Sancho has quickly made an impact at Chelsea, already boasting more assists this season than seven Manchester United attackers combined.
The winger, who joined the Blues on transfer deadline day, has settled well in West London, proving his worth after a challenging stint at Old Trafford.
Despite being sidelined by Erik ten Hag for United’s first two Premier League games, Sancho has hit the ground running under Enzo Maresca.
The 24-year-old has registered three assists in just 170 minutes across his first three Premier League appearances for Chelsea. His creative spark was evident on his debut when he set up Christopher Nkunku’s winning goal against Bournemouth.
Sancho continued his form, assisting Nicolas Jackson’s opener in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over West Ham, and later setting up Cole Palmer’s goal in their 4-2 win over Brighton.
This contribution has been more productive than the combined efforts of several of Manchester United’s creative players, including Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, and Marcus Rashford, who have collectively managed fewer assists.
United supporters may be left questioning the decision to loan out Sancho, especially given their struggles in front of goal. His return to form at Chelsea is a stark contrast to his time at Old Trafford, where he failed to secure a regular starting spot last season.
After a short loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, where he played a pivotal role in their run to the Champions League final, Sancho’s opportunities at United remained limited.
With Chelsea holding an obligation to buy Sancho for £20-25 million, contingent on finishing in the top 14, it appears that United will incur a significant financial loss on a player they once considered a key part of their attacking strategy.
The Red Devils had invested £72 million in Sancho, expecting him to be the final piece of their attacking puzzle. Instead, the loan agreement with Chelsea could see them recover just a fraction of that outlay.
Sancho’s resurgence under Maresca is not only a testament to his talent but also highlights his need for a supportive environment to thrive.
Maresca, acknowledging this, emphasized the importance of Sancho feeling at home and enjoying his football. “Jadon is a guy that needs love. He wants to show the player he is, but it’s important he enjoys his football,” Maresca said earlier this month.
As Sancho continues to impress at Stamford Bridge, Manchester United will undoubtedly reflect on whether they made the right decision.
With his confidence restored and a strong connection with Chelsea’s squad, Sancho is showing the Premier League what he’s truly capable of.