Jadon Sancho’s highly anticipated move to Manchester United has failed to yield the desired results, leaving the English winger’s career at a crossroads. After a semi-productive loan spell back at Dortmund, the young English talent has found himself at a crossroads, with a deadline-day move to Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea offering a glimpse of hope. However, Jadon Sancho recent loan move to Chelsea presents an opportunity for redemption, as Maresca’s tactical acumen and player-centric approach might be the catalyst Sancho needs to revive his stagnant career.
Jadon Sancho struggles at Old Trafford
At Manchester United, Sancho struggled to find his footing, which could be attributed to multiple factors both on and off the pitch, forcing him into a peripheral role.
His infamous public spat with Ten Hag didn’t also help matters, with the winger being expelled from first team activities. From a tactical perspective, United’s counterattacking style of play has failed to maximise Sancho’s talent as the right winger is tasked with running in behind the opposition’s last line of defense. This does not suit his style, as he is more of a dynamic ball-to-foot player looking to combine with teammates while creating space through close control dribbling.
Jadon Sancho averaged 64.25 touches per 90 minutes last season, which fits into Maresca’s profile as a winger. This sort of profile could be key in breaking down stubborn low blocks as opposition teams look to stifle Maresca’s heavy possession football.
Can Enzo Maresca turn Sancho’s Chelsea loan into a career comeback?
Chelsea have also assembled an exciting young squad of players who are complimentary profiles to Sancho’s playing strengths. Cole Palmer’s football IQ, coupled with Nicolas Jackson’s one-touch football and relentless running, serves as the perfect recipe for Sancho’s in-game intelligence and ability to create and recognise space.
Sancho has also improved his game without the ball, as modern football has placed a lot of emphasis on pressing. Working under Edin Terzic’s last season, Jadon Sancho showcased a willingness to press the opposition’s first line of buildup to regain possession quickly or swiftness to drop into the team’s defensive block.
This could be a defining season in Jadon Sancho’s career, and there’s no other manager better placed to reignite his career trajectory than Enzo Maresca.
