Enzo Maresca sets Jadon Sancho challenge amid Chelsea future uncertainty | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has encouraged Jadon Sancho to "shoot much more" when discussing the winger's struggles this season.

The Manchester United loanee has scored just twice in 28 appearances for Chelsea this season, prompting speculation that the Blues could send Sancho back to Old Trafford this summer. It recently emerged that Chelsea would only have to pay a £5m penalty to avoid triggering the £25m buyout clause in the forward's contract.

Maresca refused to reveal what the west London outfit were planning for Sancho, but did admit that "he could do better, no doubt". When pushed on what the England international could specifically improve, Chelsea's manager turned his focus towards the winger's attacking thrust.

"In terms of our wingers, we arrive there [in promising positions] many, many times," Maresca said ahead of Chelsea's London derby with Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.

Jadon Sancho has only registered four shots on target in 23 Premier League appearances this season / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

"Then it is up to them if they want to cross, go one v one... if they want to shoot. Probably, Jadon could shoot much more. That is something we have invited many times. Hopefully, he is going to shoot more from now on. For us, it's important to arrive there, with Jadon, with Noni [Madueke], with Pedro [Neto], with Tyrique [George]. And from there to create chances."

Sancho has taken 18 shots in 23 Premier League appearances this season - fewer than Joao Felix, who left the club to join AC Milan on loan during the winter transfer window. Nine Chelsea players have averaged more shots this term than Sancho (1.1 per 90), including the aforementioned trio of Noni Madueke (4.0), Pedro Neto (2.2) and Tyrique George (2.0).

Chelsea's attempts to rediscover their attacking verve against Spurs will not rest solely on the shoulders of Sancho. Maresca will be able to welcome back Cole Palmer, Madueke and Nicolas Jackson from injury for the midweek capital derby.