£25m “one-sided deal” could be a steal for Chelsea if winger keeps performing | OneFootball

It’s easy to forget now how shocking Jadon Sancho’s move to Chelsea at the end of August felt.

The club was bending over backwards to get rid of Raheem Sterling – and then seemed to want to replace that problem with another club’s unwanted English winger. We seemed like we were doing Man U a favour, taking on a player who had simply failed to deliver in English football since arriving from Borussia Dortmund.

Now, however, it seems like United were the ones doing us a favour in selling us the 24 year old for £23m.

Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson was quoted praising Sancho after yesterday’s game, where he was an important presence:

“Jadon Sancho’s move from Manchester United looks like a completely one-sided deal,” Johnson said.

“These days, £23 million for a player like that, it’s like giving him away. What he’s done in the last few weeks is what we know he’s capable of, but he just needs to do it more often. He looks like he’s enjoying himself and that’s why he’s putting in performances, so the manager and his backroom staff deserve credit too because these players that weren’t performing are now.”

Jadon Sancho training at a chilly Cobham. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Sancho shines – but still has more to give

Even couched within that praise is some criticism – the idea that Sancho doesn’t always deliver every week. But that’s something a player can learn, especially when they’re motivated and well coached. After two goals in two games, followed by an impressive showing yesterday, there’s a real sense he’s getting up to speed now.

The competition for places on the wing is fearsome, and yet Sancho has established himself. Enzo Maresca feels like the perfect coach for him, and there’s no doubt that Sancho is doing far better than most expected, even if there are still further levels for him to go to.