Jadon Sancho’s Chelsea future is hanging in the balance, with head coach Enzo Maresca refusing to confirm whether the club will trigger their obligation to sign him permanently from Manchester United this summer.
Sancho joined Chelsea on a season-long loan, with an agreement in place to make the move permanent for around £25 million ($32.3m).
However, sources reveal that Chelsea could instead pay £5m to back out of the deal, as concerns grow over Sancho’s output—just two goals and seven assists in 28 appearances.
Maresca: “He Could Do Better”
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Tottenham on Thursday, Maresca dodged questions about the winger’s long-term future, instead choosing to focus on the final nine games of the season.
“All the players that are with us, I love all of them. But at this moment, the focus is on finishing well. It is not the time to think about next season,” Maresca said.
Pressed further on Sancho’s performance levels, the Chelsea boss admitted the winger has underperformed.
“For sure, in terms of numbers, he could do better, no doubt, but it is not just about Jadon—we have more players in the same situation ,” Maresca stated.
“I don’t need to give him a message because I speak with him every day. He just has to give his best until the end, and that’s what we want.”
Chelsea Weighing Their Options
While Sancho has shown flashes of his undeniable talent, his inconsistent performances have left Chelsea hesitant about committing to a long-term deal.
With the club also keeping an eye on Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions, offloading Sancho—rather than spending another £25 million—could be a financially prudent move.
Meanwhile, Maresca has taken a strict stance on maintaining high standards within the squad.
He recently canceled a scheduled day off after first-team players who weren’t on international duty lost a training game against Chelsea’s under-21 side.
“Since I joined the club, I always demand high standards. It was not an official game, but I don’t allow that level of relaxation,” Maresca explained.
With Chelsea welcoming back key players like Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Nicolas Jackson for the upcoming Spurs clash, Sancho’s role in the squad could come under even more scrutiny.
As the season winds down, Sancho faces a crucial test, whether he can prove to Maresca and Chelsea that he’s worth the investment. Or if he will find himself back at Manchester United, uncertain about his next move.
