Jadon Sancho’s move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day was supposed to be a fresh start, but the former Manchester United winger has struggled to make an impact in London.
A quick glance at social media tells you everything you need to know—Chelsea fans are already questioning why the club signed him.
Manchester United managed to offload Sancho to Chelsea in a last-minute deal during the summer transfer window, with the winger joining on a season-long loan.
The agreement included an obligation to buy, meaning Chelsea will pay at least £20 million for Sancho—a fee that could rise to £25 million based on his performances this season.
At the time, striking a deal for Sancho seemed like one of United’s smartest moves of the window, and so far, that assessment has been spot on.
Despite a change of scenery, Sancho has continued to underwhelm, looking nothing like the electrifying player he once was at Borussia Dortmund. Now, Chelsea supporters are starting to wonder what their club saw in him.
Sancho’s Struggles Continue
Reports from Germany previously hinted at concerns over Sancho’s discipline during his time at Dortmund, and similar off-field issues arose at United.
While no such stories have emerged from Chelsea yet, history suggests it may only be a matter of time before questions are asked.
Sancho initially showed promise in his early appearances for the Blues, but his performances have quickly dipped. His display in Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Brighton last weekend was particularly frustrating.
The 24-year-old attempted two crosses—both failed to find a teammate. He didn’t register a single shot and lost all three of his attempted dribbles. It was the kind of performance that left United fans frustrated week after week.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had seen enough, hooking Sancho in the 74th minute. After the match, social media was flooded with criticism.
One Chelsea fan wrote, “I don’t like dragging our own players, but Sancho has been getting away with terrible performances.” Another asked, “Has Sancho been told not to take any risks?” The frustration is clear, and the honeymoon period is well and truly over.
A Career at a Crossroads
It’s disappointing to see how far Sancho has fallen, especially considering how exciting he was as a teenager at Dortmund. At this point, it’s fair to ask whether he’ll ever reach the level so many once predicted for him.
Sancho struggled to handle the pressure at United—a club where only the strongest personalities thrive under intense scrutiny. He still has time to carve out a respectable career, but if he wants to succeed at Chelsea, he needs to start delivering on the pitch.
Earlier this season, some suggested United might regret letting Sancho go after a few decent performances for Chelsea. In hindsight, those takes look ridiculous. The same Chelsea fans who bragged about signing him for a bargain price are now questioning his contribution. Right now, Sancho is playing like someone worth far less than £25 million, and United deserve credit for securing a permanent sale in the deal.
While United’s transfer record is often criticized—and rightly so—the decision to part ways with Sancho is proving to be one of their smartest moves in recent years.
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