From £73m to Unwanted: What’s Next for Jadon Sancho After Chelsea Exit | OneFootball

Sancho’s Rise and the Price Tag That Hailed His Arrival

When Manchester United secured Jadon Sancho’s signature from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 for a reported £73 million, belief was high that the Red Devils had acquired a forward for a relative bargain. Sancho was viewed as one of Europe’s brightest young talents, a dynamic winger whose pace, dribbling and goals threatened to reinvigorate United’s attack.

Yet by 2025, the landscape had shifted dramatically. Chelsea, having taken Sancho on loan, opted to trigger a £5 million penalty clause rather than negotiate terms to make the permanent deal—worth £24 million—work. It was a sign that after five years, the market value and narrative surrounding Sancho had diverged substantially from the optimism of his United arrival.

Photo: IMAGO

Now aged 25 and released from the early expectations that once weighed heavily on him, Sancho faces a new crossroads. His career remains littered with glimpses of promise, but what’s become increasingly clear is that he must find the right environment to flourish.

Versatility in Specific Roles

Sancho’s spell at Chelsea offered insight into the scenarios where he thrives. Under Enzo Maresca’s style—a measured, possession‑based build‑up—Chelsea often defaulted to rapid transitions under pressure. These fast, open phases suited Sancho’s strengths.

In the Conference League final versus Real Betis, Chelsea were trailing 1‑0 when he was introduced; soon they overturned the deficit with two goals in as many minutes, and Sancho found the net. Across 31 Premier League games, 12 of his shots came from fast breaks—attacks initiated upon regaining possession in their own half, as defined by Opta. He scored in the emphatic 5‑1 at Southampton, had an effort saved by Alisson at Liverpool, and missed a shot against West Ham.

Yet despite his 5.3 take‑ons per 90 with a decent 42 percent success, Sancho ranked third‑from‑bottom among wingers in winning fouls, with just 0.6 per game. He sometimes drifted wide aimlessly or passed backwards—a symptom of a player searching for structure and consistent impact.

Still, when teams shifted rapidly, Sancho’s timing and positioning shone. He frequently unfolded space after switches of play—Chelsea defenders found him most effective when abstracted into open, shifting defences. In defence, too, he showed improvement, offering pressing intensity Maresca appreciated.

Late in the season, Sancho often featured alongside another wide attacker such as Cole Palmer. This partnership freed him out wide to collect passes—as seen against Fulham—though his hesitancy to make runs in behind, coupled with less cutting creativity, meant he sometimes faded at crucial moments.

Challenges at United and Chelsea

Despite undeniable talent, Sancho’s lack of explosive burst across distance limited his suitability at elite Premier League clubs reliant on transitional speed. His best form always emerged within a partnership—typically with attack‑minded full‑backs who could overlap effectively.

In Dortmund, playing on the right, he was paired with Achraf Hakimi and later Thomas Meunier—full‑backs whose constant forward runs helped carve spaces for Sancho in one‑on‑one situations. Those runs allowed him to drift into half‑spaces and strike decisively.

Photo IMAGO

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once noted early setbacks in Sancho’s career at United: “When he arrived, he had to go to hospital and that was a setback. He’s immensely talented and we haven’t seen the best of him. I hope we do, but he prefers to play left wing… where Marcus (Rashford) plays.” This quote underlined the mismatch between his natural position and United’s systems.

Luke Shaw’s presence pushed Sancho to the left—far from his favoured right flank. At Chelsea, a rotating cast of full‑backs meant he rarely found the continuity needed. Though sometimes deployed centrally at United, his output lacked consistency.

Unlike creative midfielders such as Bruno Fernandes or Martin Odegaard, Sancho has not combined that tactical intelligence with defensive assertiveness. Top clubs demand wide players who contribute equally on and off the ball—an area he has struggled to master. Recent seasons show diminished runs behind defences, fewer key passes, and declining shot numbers. He can drift in and out—something he cannot afford in teams chasing silverware and tight margins.

Potential Next Steps

A fifth season with Manchester United appears unlikely. Under new coach Ruben Amorim’s favoured 3‑4‑3 system, Sancho would likely be shifted into an attacking midfield role; yet with recent signings like Matheus Cunha and interest in Bryan Mbeumo, it’s clear Sancho is no longer top of United’s recruitment list.

He is neither the strongest, nor the fastest, nor the most physically aggressive, but seeks to be the quickest thinker on the pitch—best supported by team‑mates capable of executing his ideas and doing the heavy work to match.

That suggests his next move may lie outside the Premier League, where teams could provide the tactical context he needs.

Continental Options That Suit Sancho

La Liga: Villarreal or Real Betis model

Spanish sides might offer the best fit. Sancho could follow in the footsteps of players like Antony, who found form on loan at Real Betis. Villarreal, for example, secured Champions League qualification last season by playing fast, transition‑driven football. They ranked second in fast‑break shots across Europe’s top five leagues—behind only Liverpool.

Villarreal’s left‑back Sergi Cardona excels at overlaps, potentially providing the structural complement Sancho requires. The financial limitations of even top Spanish clubs will likely mean a loan or reduced permanent fee, but they may offer a platform for revival.

Ligue 1: Lyon’s direct style

A switch to Lyon could offer another path. With attacking reinforcements needed—Manchester City are rumoured to pursue Rayan Cherki, and Alexandre Lacazette is departing—Sancho could slot into a side that, while favouring possession, isn’t averse to direct attacking moves.

Lyon led Ligue 1 in goals from “direct attacks”: open‑play sequences starting inside their own half and moving swiftly before ending in the box. If Georges Mikautadze takes centre stage, he will drift left—offering Sancho the freedom he enjoyed playing alongside Cole Palmer at Chelsea.

That said, Cherki’s 32 goal contributions in 44 games remain the benchmark. Sancho would need to match or exceed the attacking creativity the French youngster brings.

Serie A: Milan’s calculated approach

AC Milan represent another intriguing option. Although the Rossoneri finished eighth in Serie A last season, they are entering a transitional phase under Massimiliano Allegri, who prioritises solidity and structure.

If Theo Hernandez departs, and Serbia‑based youngster Alex Jimenez steps into the left‑back role, Allegri might be tempted to deploy Sancho as a squad player—or even as a No 10 in a three‑at‑the‑back formation. This would echo previous midfield roles he has trialled at United and Chelsea.

Yet the tactical fit remains uncertain. Allegri reserves flair for collective safety, and Sancho would face internal competition—especially from Rafael Leao if he remains. The high wages demanded may also weigh heavily on Milan’s transfer book.

Germany: Borussia Dortmund reunion

Finally, a return to Borussia Dortmund would bring the story full circle. Sancho thrived in Westfalenstadion, where he was among the best young talents in world football. His six‑month loan return in 2023‑24 saw him play a crucial role in Dortmund’s route to the Champions League final.

Interestingly, during that spell he played nearly equally on both wings, thanks to full‑backs like Meunier and Ian Maatsen offering forward thrust to compensate for his natural tendencies. He featured prominently in the 2‑0 defeat to Real Madrid in the final.

Under Niko Kovač, Dortmund have adopted a 3‑4‑2‑1 formation, which may cast Sancho as an attacking midfielder. While Kovač’s structured approach may restrict Sancho’s creative freedom, it might also provide the balance he needs. Yet financial challenges—both in wages and transfer budget—could prove barriers to a permanent move, whether in Germany or elsewhere.

Finding Stability and a Platform

Sancho flourishes best in steady environments with clear tactical roles. Whether that’s back in Germany, in Spain, France or Italy, his next move must offer two key qualities:

His talent is unquestioned. He combines vision and technical ability in possession, an intuitive understanding of transitional play, and touches of flair. The missing ingredient remains consistent opportunity—time on the pitch within a defined structure, in a side that values high‑tempo transitions as much as possession sequences.

Final Thoughts on Transfers and Career Trajectory

In 2021, United’s Transfer of Sancho marked a high‑profile gamble. In 2025, that gamble has transformed into a decision point: where next, and under what terms?

High wages and headline fees are now less appealing than tactical opportunity and personal fit. Such realities may push Sancho toward leagues outside the Premier League—where structures support his game and financial demands align with his current market standing.

For Manchester United, the Sancho experiment underlined the risk when a player doesn’t immediately fit the system or when coaches change rapidly. It also revealed lessons about supporting attackers through structural decisions, not just market investment.

Sancho is at a defining moment. His raw qualities remain impressive. His next club, tactical scheme, and narrative arc will determine whether this is the turning point that secures his long‑awaited renaissance.