Sancho’s explosive start at Chelsea ended with just one assist in the final nine games.
Fans have called Sancho’s performance “weak” and “useless” due to its lack of outcomes.
Sancho, who is said to as a luxury player, must get better but has a duty to purchase at Chelsea.
As they say, “What’s trash for one is treasure for another.” That appeared to be the case for Jadon Sancho back in September 2024 when Chelsea stepped in to save the gifted English winger from the ruins of his failing Manchester United career and give him a new beginning in the bright lights of west London.
The 24-year-old made an immediate impression, winning Man of the Match after making his debut with an assist. Then, in his next two games, he continued to build momentum by setting up two more goals. However, after six months, the script seems uncannily familiar. Sancho is once again experiencing déjà vu, but instead of a career comeback, the former Borussia Dortmund star finds himself on the same bumpy path, trapped in a footballing limbo where happiness and misery collide.
Since Chelsea’s management has a reputation for wanting depth on the flanks, getting Sancho on loan with the option to buy was the ideal situation at the moment. Today, however, the atmosphere is completely different. After yet another lacklustre performance in the FA Cup fourth round, where Brighton eliminated the eight-time champions, the supporters at Stamford Bridge are starting to doubt his future with the team.
Sancho Underwhelmed as Chelsea Knocked Out of FA Cup
Bart Verbruggen’s own goal gave Chelsea the lead inside five minutes, but Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma’s goals would lead to a 2-1 loss. The Blues are already eliminated from both domestic cups, and after a dismal Premier League campaign, their only chance to win any hardware this season under Enzo Maresca’s coaching is in the Europa Conference League.
Even though the FA Cup exit saw several lacklustre performances, including forgettable performances from players like Christopher Nkunku, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Malo Gusto, Sancho’s recent play made him the obvious target following such a poor showing.
During his 74-minute stint on the south coast, Sancho missed all of his crosses, lost all seven of his duels, failed to complete any of his three dribbling attempts, failed to register a single shot, and contributed nothing defensively. It was unquestionably one of the worst moments in his Chelsea tenure.
The statistics of Jadon Sancho’s games versus Brighton & Hove Albion
The number of minutes played
74
Shots
0
Success dribbling
0/3 (0%).
Success in crossing
0/2 (0%).
Airborne duels
0/3 (0%).
Duelling on the ground
0/4 (0%).
Defensive measures
0
As the slump persists, Chelsea supporters criticise Sancho.
There was a reason why Manchester United supporters cautioned their competitors.
In his 83 games for Manchester United, Sancho only managed 12 goals and 6 assists, and Red Devils supporters quickly alerted Chelsea supporters about the winger’s propensity to disappear when it counts. But Blues supporters were certain they wouldn’t see the same at the time the agreement was made. Currently, however, they are in agreement.
“Below average player, not good enough for us,” wrote one fan on social media, aptly capturing the current sentiment against Sancho. Just flicks and tricks—no production, no goals, no assists. “I don’t know why we waste our time with that Sancho,” a second person remarked. He is completely useless and only there to make up the numbers.
We should have a conversation about jadon sancho.United might have finessed us. pic.twitter.com/LvCR1PQTmo
— the cfc ironheart (@cfc_ironheart) February 8, 2025
According to a third critique, Sancho is merely a luxury player. He doesn’t put pressure on right-backs. A fourth said: “Overrated,” while another said: “Mudryk would attack defenders and beat them.” One fifth said, “Sancho is giving absolutely nothing today,” and the fifth said, “Chelsea must send him back to United.” If he hadn’t been on the pitch for the first forty-five minutes, I doubt anything would have changed.
Sancho was fortunate that his Chelsea contract included a purchase commitment rather than an option. Thus, a clumsy second reunion with Manchester United is out of the question, and he will remain in west London during the summer. He will need to do much more in the upcoming months, though, if he hopes to guarantee a spot in Maresca’s starting lineup for the long run.
