Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has singled out new signing Jadon Sancho as an important addition that he’s happy to have brought into his squad this season.

Sancho ended up joining Chelsea on loan from Manchester United right at the end of the summer, in a deal which will almost certainly end up being made permanent this time next year.

Although Sancho struggled during his time at Man Utd, he enjoyed an impressive loan spell back at former club Borussia Dortmund in the second half of last season, showing glimpses of his best form again as he helped the Bundesliga giants make it to the Champions League final.

Still unwanted by United, however, Sancho ended up leaving for Chelsea and it seems Maresca is optimistic about what the 24-year-old can bring to his side with his 1v1 dribbling ability…

??? Enzo Maresca: “I’m very happy to have Sancho at Chelsea, he’s here because we like that kind of player who can help in 1vs1”.

“He’s key – especially against a low block, we need him”. pic.twitter.com/6Rk6Y0BaJV

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 9, 2024

Sancho might find he’s a better fit for what the Blues are trying to do under Maresca, with his playing style just never seeming quite right in what has been a chaotic few years with a lot of change of personnel at Old Trafford.

United fans will be furious, however, if they watch another of their flops going on to shine elsewhere, as has happened a few times in this difficult and challenging post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

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Sancho transfer could be good for Chelsea, but raises questions for United

So many top talents have joined United in recent years, such as Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Antony, only to end up looking a shadow of their former selves upon arrival.

A few of those, however, then got back to their best after leaving the club, particularly Di Maria, while even Lukaku had a brief return to form in a spell at Inter Milan, even if he then went downhill again after joining Chelsea.

It will be interesting to see what the Sancho story ends up being, but it seems clear he at least finally has a manager who really believes in him.

The post “He’s key” – Enzo Maresca singles out one Chelsea signing he’s “very happy” to have brought in appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United decided to send Jadon Sancho on loan to Chelsea towards the end of the transfer window.

The 24-year-old failed to make his mark at Manchester United after a big-money move from Borussia Dortmund. The winger had fallen out of favour with the manager Erik ten Hag as well. Sancho was eventually loaned out to Borussia Dortmund during the second half of last season and he managed to regain his form and confidence with them. He was quite impressive for the German outfit and he helped them reach the final of the UEFA Champions League.

However, Manchester United were not keen on keeping him at the club this season. It will be interesting to see if he can regain his form and confidence with regular football at Chelsea. The Blues needed a quality winger who would add unpredictability and creativity to their attack. The England international could prove to be an exceptional acquisition if he can retain his form and sharpness.

He was regarded as one of the best young attackers in world football during his time at Dortmund. Chelsea will certainly hope that they can help him fulfil his world-class potential in the coming seasons. Even though the Blues have signed him on loan, they have an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.

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Jurgen Klopp reacts to Jadon Sancho treatment

Meanwhile, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes (h/t Telegraph) that the Manchester United Erik ten Hag should have backed the player even though everyone else had lost faith in him. Klopp feels that the Dutchman should have stood like a rock behind the English winger and helped him get back to his best.

Jurgen Klopp thinks Erik ten Hag should have treated Jadon Sancho differently #TelegraphFootball | #MUFC | #LFC pic.twitter.com/iumpn44TLp

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) September 5, 2024

It will be interesting to see if the 24-year-old can get back to his best and establish himself as a key player for Chelsea in the coming months. There is no doubt that he has the potential to transform the Blues in the final third.

The post Jurgen Klopp comments on Erik ten Hag’s treatment of Jadon Sancho at Man United appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea experienced yet another busy transfer this summer, with deals being done by the club right up until the end of deadline day or, in the case of Victor Osimhen, not concluded.

The madness that seems to wash over the Stamford Bridge outfit as soon as there’s the opportunity to buy or sell has had many football watchers scratching their heads.

Former Premier League agent, Jon Smith, has even gone as far as to suggest that something is wrong internally at the club.

Chelsea transfer debacle explained

“Chelsea are a fascinating work in progress, aren’t they?” he said to CaughtOffside for his exclusive column.

“The Sancho/Sterling thing for instance… Sancho is probably on the same kind of money as Sterling, and I guess he’s younger…

“I’m not sure what’s happened with Sterling but obviously something’s gone wrong internally I would have thought.

“You don’t just treat a player with that talent and history the way that he was treated. So I think the move to Arsenal is good for him and it’s almost like an internal swap with Sancho.”

Frankly, there needs to be some stability at the football club now if the owners want to see the success that they crave realised under the current set-up.

Enzo Maresca is already finding out how difficult life can be working at the West London club, as Chelsea scraped past minnows Servette in the Europa Conference League, and have only impressed in their Premier League rout of Wolves.

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The Italian needs to succeed where Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino all failed.

In a sense, they were never really given time to succeed by the owners, and that’s absolutely what Maresca needs now if the club want a solid foundation moving forward.

As for Raheem Sterling, no wonder he seems happier than he has for a long time.

The post “Something’s gone wrong internally” – Ex-Premier League agent explains Chelsea transfer debacle appeared first on CaughtOffside.

In his fortnightly exclusive column for CaughtOffside, Jon Smith, one of football’s first-ever agents and a man who was an integral figure in the forming of the Premier League, discusses Chelsea being a fascinating work in progress, why nothing has changed at West Ham despite all their new signings, why he can’t look beyond Man City for the Premier League title – and more! 

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Chelsea remain a fascinating work in progress

Chelsea are a fascinating work in progress, aren’t they?

The Sancho/Sterling thing for instance… Sancho is probably on the same kind of money as Sterling, and I guess he’s younger…

I’m not sure what’s happened with Sterling but obviously something’s gone wrong internally I would have thought.

You don’t just treat a player with that talent and history the way that he was treated. So I think the move to Arsenal is good for him and it’s almost like an internal swap with Sancho.

But what about the likes of Ben Chilwell? He’s on the best part of 200 grand, and he’s now stuck with the kids, which I find that a little bit strange. What happens if Cucurella gets injured?

Putting my agents hat on for a second, you’ve got a player that has to deal with the situation that he finds himself in, and one he clearly won’t like, but in my humble opinion he has to be a professional.

He’s being very well paid, and it’s what he does for a living.

If you’re a professional roofer and you don’t get on with your boss for some reason, and you throw a tantrum because the guy asks you to go up on someone’s roof, then you either do it or you walk out.

So if Chilwell’s that unhappy, walk out. Speak to the PFA for breach a contract.

It doesn’t work that way though as we know, however, so for the short time the player is on Planet Football, the rewards are big and he must behave, in my opinion, like a professional, even if maybe his employers aren’t.

Not that I’m not suggesting Chelsea aren’t of course, because there’s obviously stuff that’s going on that I’m not aware of there.

Brighton have done it again with Hurzeler appointment

I find myself praising Paul Barber and the team at Brighton again.

I mean, they just keep coming up with these names out of nowhere. Fabian Hurzeler, just 31 years of age from the German second division and he seems to have got it straightaway.

The players seem to respect him, though I’m only observing, and from what I’ve seen tactically they’re very adept.

I thought Arsenal looked good at the weekend but Brighton were fantastic.

Admittedly, Arsenal were down to 10 and gave the Seagulls huge respect, and they were certainly happy with that 1-1 draw at the end.

I can definitely see Brighton qualifying for Europe this year.

Decent enough window for Arsenal

I quite like one of the buys Arsenal made this summer; Calafiori.

I’m not sure about Merino because I don’t know an awful lot about him, to be honest. Calafiori and Sterling are two good buys for Arteta.

Pressure is right on ten Hag unless results change quickly

The pressure is always on when you’re Manchester United, and it’s more on the manager than it is on the ownership at this moment in time.

That’s because the ownership were perceived to have done the right thing by keeping him in place.

What I don’t understand is players, for example Casemiro… he was amazing when he first joined the club but what’s happened to him? Why has everything gone so far south?

I just don’t understand what’s going on United.

They’ve got a team of really good players, and it’s just not happening for them. Even Rashford, the eternal servant, just doesn’t look the part anymore.

So I’m kind of sticking my neck out really, but unless things turn around fairly quickly, there must be a Plan B – and the Plan B would would be to replace ten Hag.

It’s kind of more of the same at the moment.

Liverpool looking good under cool, calm and collected Slot

Interestingly enough, sort of across the road is Liverpool, and I have to say that the new regime looks very relaxed.

Arne Slot is calmly getting on with doing the same thing that his predecessor did, and without really adding to the squad as well.

They brought in Federico Chiesa at the end of the window but that really was the extent of their business (Giorgi Mamardashvili doesn’t join for another year).

So far, so good.

Everton must stick with Sean Dyche if they want EPL survival

Down at the bottom of the Premier League, Everton have lost their first three games of the season, just as they lost their first three last season – so at least they’re consistent.

Things look a bit worse in 24/25, but I know Sean Dyche and he’s a great personal motivator so I’m banking on him to somehow turn it around.

There does come a point when you can only turn it around so often, however. A moment when you have to say, ‘right, got to do something else.’

It’s such a mess off the pitch at the moment that I don’t see them getting rid of Dyche because everything else is against them.

I wouldn’t know who’s going to go in there, and whoever it is – if Everton were inclined to go down that route – would want a budget.

Nobody knows what the budget is, because nobody knows whether the club can afford to finish their new stadium.

I don’t think bringing back David Moyes – as has been mooted – is overly relevant at the moment. Moyes is a good coach, but everyone has their day and some of his best are behind him now.

I’ve huge regard for David Moyes and maybe the whole emotional thing plays well. But I think it’s bit of an elastoplast rather than an operational fix.

All go at Juve whilst Dybala wins the plaudits at Roma

Juventus under Thiago Motta are trying to change everything.

They bought a young lad from Atalanta called Koopmeiners, and I’ve watched some videos of him – he’s technically a really good player.

What’s more, he’s gone there in the hope of playing rather than just going straight into the team – that takes guts. Bravo young man.

I’m delighted for Roma fans too, after Paulo Dybala turned down the €75m on offer from Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.

I hear a number of Roma fans all went to his house to thank him – a lovely little story.

Haaland and Man City already looking ominous

With Man City you can’t look further than Haaland can you. I mean, which planet is this man from?! Just astonishing, unbelievable.

That third goal was quite incredible.

It’s early days but already I can’t see much beyond City for the title again – unless they get a ‘hangover’ after Christmas.

New signings won’t make a difference at West Ham

I just wonder whether all of the new summer signings are going to make a difference at West Ham.

Yes, they had to do it and I think they’ve done well, they’ve bought a couple of decent players.

Wan-Bissaka I like and there are a number of others that were brought in with him.

I just don’t know what it is, maybe a gut feeling, that it’s not going to make a great deal of difference.

I love West Ham so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for them, and I just hope it’s hope it’s going to be a good, fun year for them.

Tottenham looking to youth is the right way to go

The last word this week is on Spurs because I’ve not mentioned them yet.

I think it looks like they’re concentrating on youth now under Ange, doesn’t it? The likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall et al.

It’s an interesting experiment and one which, at the moment, I think is probably the right way to go for them.

The post Agents column: Look no further than Man City, brilliant Brighton, same old West Ham and much more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

One of the later deals in the summer transfer window saw Man United sell Jadon Sancho to Chelsea, and now it’s come to light why that decision was made.

After seeming to bury the hatchet with Erik ten Hag, Sancho began pre-season with the Red Devils and was training well by all accounts.

However, there was always an element of the player just biding time until he was sold.

Both Juventus and Borussia Dortmund were mentioned as possible destinations for Sancho, but nothing transpired, and as the clock ticked down, the former England international was still a United player.

Dan Ashworth rips into Jadon Sancho

In a scarcely believable decision towards the end of deadline day, Chelsea came in for Sancho, one would expect as a replacement for Raheem Sterling, who had been sent on loan to Arsenal.

Swapping one winger for another doesn’t seem to make an awful lot of sense, though the Blues seem to think that they know what they’re doing.

United must’ve been rubbing their hands together, and now sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has spoken about the move.

??? Dan Ashworth on why Man Utd decided to sell Sancho: “We felt we had enough depth in that particular position to be able to cover it”.

“We’ve got four really good wide players; Jadon was a fifth, and it just enabled us to make that decision”. pic.twitter.com/2vUsZk51mA

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 3, 2024

As CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, noted on X (formerly Twitter), Ashworth was scathing in his put down of Sancho.

“We felt we had enough depth in that particular position to be able to cover it,” Ashworth was quoted as saying.

“We’ve got four really good wide players; Jadon was a fifth, and it just enabled us to make that decision.”

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The notion that Sancho was actually their fifth choice as a winger, and Ashworth also leaning into the fact that the club had “four really good wide players” really is the most brutal of takedowns.

It hints at the dissatisfaction behind the scenes, whatever the public face of the club said this summer.

Now that Sancho has finally moved on, he will surely delight in being able to ram Ashworth’s taunts back down his throat.

The post Dan Ashworth’s scathing put down of Jadon Sancho as Man United decision explained appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea have unveiled Jadon Sancho at Stamford Bridge ahead of today’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

The England international has joined Chelsea on loan from Manchester United, though the deal will be made permanent next summer, unless the Blues have a truly catastrophic campaign and finish lower than 14th in the Premier League table!

Sancho largely flopped at Man Utd but he showed some glimpses of getting back to his best form during his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund in the second half of last season.

Now he’s at Chelsea and the home crowd have certainly given him a warm welcome as you can see in the video clip below…

Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho takes his first steps out at Stamford Bridge ? pic.twitter.com/ZXAwXmX5Ve

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 1, 2024

Jadon Sancho unveiled to the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge! ? pic.twitter.com/mqFJNutwfx

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 1, 2024

Sancho could be a bit of a gamble, but if it pays off it will be one the Chelsea ownership will be glad they made, as there’s clearly a talented player in there somewhere.

The 24-year-old never quite looked right in the set-up at United, and it might just be that he was one of many big names to struggle with the Red Devils in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

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Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Antony are some of the others who arrived with great reputations but then struggled, so perhaps Sancho just chose the wrong club when he first left Dortmund a few years ago.

Chelsea fans will certainly hope this can be the start of Sancho getting his confidence back and performing like we all know he can when he’s at his best.

The post Video: Chelsea unveil new signing at Stamford Bridge ahead of Crystal Palace clash appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea’s buy fee for Jadon Sancho depends on their final Premier League position.

That’s according to a recent report from the Telegraph’s James Ducker, who claims the winger’s Deadline Day switch to Stamford Bridge contains an unusual clause.

Sancho, 25, was allowed to make the switch to London after expressing his desire to leave Manchester United.

How much are Chelsea paying for Jadon Sancho?

And, according to Ducker, Chelsea’s agreement with United includes a buy clause but the value of the clause will depend on where the Blues finish in the Premier League.

“Chelsea’s obligation to buy will be triggered if they finish in top 14 of PL this season. The purchase fee is between £20m and £25m depending on where Chelsea finish. The higher they finish the higher the fee,” he wrote on his X account.

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The Blues finished sixth last season; two places above United, so while the Red Devils will hope for a good campaign from Chelsea, they will not want it to be at their expense… Literally.

Sancho is unlikely to feature against Crystal Palace on Sunday but could make his club debut away to Bournemouth after the upcoming international break.

The post Man United and Chelsea agree interesting clause in Jadon Sancho’s loan deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Jadon Sancho did indeed take a pay cut as he left Manchester United for a loan transfer to Chelsea.

The 24-year-old completed a late move from Old Trafford to Stamford Bridge on Deadline Day, and it seems he was eager to take the chance to play for Chelsea, so much so that he was willing to take the salary reduction in order to make it happen.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest Daily Briefing column, Romano explained that Sancho accepting a pay cut was the only way to finalise this deal, but it seems the England international was happy to do so as he was really keen on joining the Blues.

Chelsea fans will be pleased to hear this, as they’ve potentially landed themselves an exciting talent who could make a real impact for them this season, as he showed signs of getting back to his best in a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund last term.

Sancho transfer details confirmed by Romano

Discussing the details of Sancho’s move from United to Chelsea, Romano said: “Man United just wanted to move on from Sancho as they understood the player only wanted to leave. This is why they accepted this solution but still at their condition.

“So it all started from the player as he really wanted to join Chelsea, it was his priority, and it’s true that the player reduced his salary for this move, as it was the only way to make it happen.”

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Sancho majorly flopped at United, but he was an exciting talent during his time at Dortmund and showed his potential once again in his second spell there on loan last season, so there’s clearly a talented player there for Enzo Maresca to work with.

Still, there’s also a lot of competition in the Chelsea attack as Maresca also has the likes of Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Mykhailo Mudryk to choose from in that area of the pitch.

The post Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano confirms key detail about Jadon Sancho’s move from Man Utd to Chelsea appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jadon Sancho has revealed that Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were his ‘idols growing up’ after sealing a loan switch to Chelsea from Man Utd.

Sancho failed to feature in either of Man Utd’s opening two Premier League games despite featuring heavily in pre-season after returning from a loan at Borussia Dortmund.

The England international was heavily linked with a number of high-profile moves throughout the summer, including Juventus, Bayern Munich and another Dortmund return.

In the end, it was Chelsea who won the race for his signature, completing a deal just in time before the closure of the summer transfer window.

Sancho names Chelsea legends Drogba and Lampard as his ‘idols’

Speaking to Chelsea’s official website after his move to Stamford Bridge was confirmed, Sancho named Blues legends Drogba and Lampard as his biggest inspirations as a youngster.

Between them, Drogba and Lampard bagged 375 goals and 212 assists in 1,029 combined appearances for Chelsea, playing a key role in the club’s most successful periods — in which they won multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups, as well as the Champions League and Europa League.

Now, Sancho will do his best to emulate that iconic duo.

“I’m really excited to be here,’ Sancho said. “London is where I grew up and I’m happy to be back.

“It’s been a bit crazy. Obviously, it was the last day of the transfer window so it’s expected to be a bit crazy, but I’m really happy it’s all finally done.

“Chelsea is iconic. My idols growing up were Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard and now I have the opportunity to play for this club like them. It’s a great feeling.”

Sancho: Enzo Maresca drew me to Chelsea

Sancho also revealed that it was a phone call with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca — coupled with the Italian’s exploits alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City — that convinced him Stamford Bridge was the right step for his career.

“I think it’s the manager who really drew me to the project,” Sancho explained.

“I knew him from his time with Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. He spoke to me on the phone about this project and what he was building here, and for a young player like myself it’s exciting and I can’t wait to get started.”

The forward continued: “They’re signing me for a reason and to contribute to the team, and I’m ready to do that.

“I enjoy his style of play. The wingers when they get on the ball, he loves them to go one versus one and be direct. We play a lot of one-twos with the 10s and the striker combination plays. It’s very attractive and it’s a style that I play.”

The post “Iconic” – Jadon Sancho names Chelsea legends as his ‘idols’ after leaving Man Utd appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United have confirmed forward Jadon Sancho has joined Chelsea on loan for the rest of the 2024/25 season.

Sancho failed to feature in either of Man Utd’s opening two Premier League games despite featuring heavily in pre-season after returning from a loan at Borussia Dortmund.

The England international was heavily linked with a number of high-profile moves throughout the summer, including Juventus, Bayern Munich and another Dortmund return.

In the end, it was Chelsea who won the race for his signature, completing a deal just in time before the closure of the summer transfer window.

Man Utd release Jadon Sancho statement

Fans were left confused as to why neither club had confirmed the transfer of Sancho almost 24 hours after the transfer window closed.

But United finally released a statement on their official website confirming the deal on Saturday evening.

The post Manchester United release statement regarding Jadon Sancho’s Chelsea transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.