It’s not often that a parent club would feel upset at their long player flourishing elsewhere but Manchester United might become an anomaly soon.
Man Utd have been active on the loan front this January, either by recalling players like Joe Hugill from Wigan or Elyh Harrison from Chester or sending Ethan Ennis to Doncaster.
However, their one summer loan is flourishing elsewhere, with no clause to bring him back, and that, of course, is Jadon Sancho.
Sancho joined Chelsea on loan for the season but with a permanent buy obligation clause that will see him become a Chelsea player next summer.
After a hot-and-cold start at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has now admitted that he’s been surprised by Sancho’s form this season.
Enzo Maresca on Jadon Sancho
No tears were shed at Old Trafford when Jadon Sancho left on loan for Chelsea, with many hoping that Chelsea finish high in the table so United can get the maximum money for the player.
That is exactly what has transpired, with Chelsea doing well in the league but for Sancho, he didn’t have the best of starts at Stamford Bridge.
It was the ideal scenario for Man Utd fans who couldn’t root for the player after his acrimonious departure from the club.
However, after coming through the rough early patch, Sancho has started showing signs of consistent form for Chelsea, a consistency that has even taken manager Enzo Maresca by surprise.
Maresca said: “I am quite surprised with Jadon. I knew Jadon already so knew what to expect from him… but in terms of being consistent, he’s been great. He’s been doing very well for long period.”
Maresca has never been one to mince his words which is why even this compliment is sprinkled with a message that Sancho had never been consistent since leaving Borussia Dortmund.
However, the place where he’s found his consistency again will have Erik ten Hag fuming.
Erik ten Hag would be fuming at these developments
Ten Hag spectacularly fell out with Sancho over the player’s perceived lack of effort in training, leading to Ten Hag sidelining him from the squad.
However, what many people forget, especially after Sancho started impressing at Chelsea is that Ten Hag gave him all the chances to succeed before taking that nuclear option.
He was given a break for his mental health during Ten Hag’s first season and started both the two pre-seasons under him as a starter before losing his place due to lack of good displays.
Sancho was given every chance to succeed at United under multiple managers so it’s certain that his departure from United was for the best.
His success at Chelsea doesn’t mean United made a mistake but that wouldn’t help soothe Ten Hag much!
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