Jadon Sancho was a surprise summer transfer to West London, joining Chelsea on a season-long loan from rivals Manchester United, with an obligation to buy him for a reported fee of only £23million.
His early time at Stamford Bridge has been plagued by a few minor injuries and illnesses, which has halted his momentum throughout the first part of the season. However, in recent games he’s shown flashes of rediscovering the form of the brilliant player he can be, when given the correct tools and culture.
A Revitalising Return to Dortmund
During the second half of the 2023-24 season, Sancho returned to Borussia Dortmund to finally end his nightmare spell at Man Utd, and the move helped the 24-year-old find that much needed momentum and form that had hindered his career since making the move to the red side of Manchester.
Sancho was part of the Dortmund team which made it to the 2024 Champions League final, contributing three goals and three assists during his return to Germany. There were hopes for Erik Ten Hag and Man Utd that Sancho may return to the Red Devils ready for the new season, having finally revived his best form.
However, following a summer of discontent amid rumoured falling out with the manager and feelings of unwantedness, it seemed destined would leave Manchester for pastures a new, finally ending the disastrous spell since signing from Dortmund for a reported fee of €85million.
Stamford Bridge – A Safe Haven
When Chelsea announced the initial loan signing of Sancho, it was seen as a bit of a risk, and possibly even unnecessary given Chelsea also signed Pedro Neto to add to their wide players of Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk. Whilst a loan could be a low risk move, but the obligation to buy essentially made Sancho’s move to West London permanent from the offset.
However, Enzo Maresca has clearly seen something in the winger, and has largely favoured Sancho on the left wing in the early stages of the Premier League season, with Madueke preferred on the right. In his first three games, Sancho contributed three assists, and his performances were largely positive. His fitness was picking up, and there were hopes he would go on to have an outstanding season.
Maresca has hinted about the need to make Sancho feel loved at Stamford Bridge, which was severely lacking from both the management and his fans during his time at Manchester. With the mood at Chelsea improving week on week, and results and performances on the up, Sancho is finally in an environment where he can thrive and reach his full potential.
Sancho’s Next Steps
With the festive fixtures approaching, Sancho is likely to be given plenty more opportunities to cement his starting position in Maresca’s Premier League XI. After netting his first goal of the season in the recent 5-1 demolition of Southampton, Sancho has all the tools at his disposal to really kick on, and will be hoping to make a return to the England squad, now under the tutelage of former Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel.
