Jadon Sancho has cited Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as a key factor in his decision to move to Stamford Bridge — but does his story check out?
Sancho is seeking to reignite his ailing career after leaving Manchester United on a season-long loan. Chelsea have an obligation to sign the the winger permanently next summer.
A blockbuster switch to United three years ago, during a transfer window when Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo also moved to Old Trafford, promised much but the 24-year-old was never able to recapture the form that made him one of the starts of the Bundesliga at Borussia Dortmund.
At that time, Sancho was one of the hottest properties in European football, having left Manchester City as a teenager to move to Signal Iduna Park.
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"I think it’s the manager who really drew me to the project,’ Sancho told Chelsea's official website.
"I knew him from his time with Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. He spoke to me on the phone about this project and what he was building here, and for a young player like myself it’s exciting and I can’t wait to get started."
Maresca first joined City to lead their EDS team to Premier League 2 glory in 2020/21 before returning to work as one of Guardiola’s assistants in the treble-winning campaign of 2022/23.
All of which doesn’t exactly align with Sancho citing a knowledge of Maresca’s work, given he left City in 2017, justifiably enticed by the promise of greater first-team opportunities at Dortmund.
Welcome to Chelsea, Jadon! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9VvrOR77lk
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 31, 2024
Now, perhaps Sancho was a keen observer of City’s second string during their behind-closed-doors season and came to admire Maresca’s coaching of City’s first team as his United dream went awry.
Whatever the truth behind his statement, Sancho certainly seems to have a good grasp of what is required under the Italian tactician, who let Raheem Sterling join Arsenal on loan after decreeing he “prefers a different kind of winger”.
“They’re signing me for a reason and to contribute to the team, and I’m ready to do that,” Sancho added.
“I enjoy his style of play. The wingers when they get on the ball, he loves them to go one versus one and be direct. We play a lot of one-twos with the 10s and the striker, combination plays. It’s very attractive and it’s a style that I play.”
