- The English winger scored only 12 goals in 83 games in the difficult period at Old Trafford.
- But he has rediscovered his magic at the Blues and scored in Spurs’ win on Sunday.
- LISTEN NOW It’s all starting!: Why can’t Chelsea win the league? They made seven substitutions and still scored five. Do you think Liverpool could do that?
Ian Wright has delivered a effusive assessment of Jadon Sancho’s season so far and offered a theory on what went wrong for the talented winger at Manchester United.
The former England international swapped Old Trafford for Chelsea after a tough spell at the Red Devils in which he scored just 12 goals in 83 games.
His struggles at United were in stark contrast to his time at Borussia Dortmund, where he rose through the youth ranks before scoring 53 goals and 67 assists for the team in 158 games, lifting the DFB-Pokal and the German Super Cup.
After a miserable time under Erik ten Hag in Manchester, the skilful wide man appears to have found his magic once again, scoring two and providing five assists in just 10 appearances for Chelsea since his summer loan move.
Indeed, his excellent performance in the 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday, curling a shot into the corner, provided another indication that the Blues’ obligation to sign him next summer represents a big deal.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has positioned himself among Sancho’s most avid admirers and said so on his podcast Wrighty’s House that the 24-year-old has been “incredible” this season.
Jadon Sancho has received praise from Ian Wright after achieving some form with Chelsea of late
He will join the Blues permanently from United in the summer after struggling at Old Trafford.
Former Arsenal striker Wright was also shocked to learn that Chelsea would only have to pay £25m.
He said: ‘I need to give flowers to Jadon Sancho. He was very good (against Tottenham), he was good.
“Afterwards he said he had proven people wrong and that he felt welcome, so obviously he didn’t feel that at the other place, probably at Man United.
‘Why would I say that any other way? He didn’t feel like he was part of a football club that recognized what he could do and gave him the platform to express himself.
“Even when he went to Dortmund last season he showed people were wrong. I’m happy he’s shown since he left United that in the right environment he’s a top player, a top player.”
Sancho had fallen out of favor at Old Trafford when he left in the summer and Chelsea managed to negotiate a loan deal that involves an obligation to buy the star in the summer for just £25m.
Wright seemed surprised when someone told him the Blues were going to sign the Englishman for such a low fee.
“Wow, £25m, that’s an incredible bargain, an incredible bargain,” he said.
Sancho got Chelsea back into the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday after two errors from Marc Cucurella set up chances for Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski to give the home team a two-goal lead in the first 20 minutes.
Sancho enjoyed a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund last year after thriving there in the past.
Cole Palmer scored two penalties, including one from Panenka, in a memorable 4-3 win over Spurs.
He also set up Enzo Fernández’s equalizer after a labyrinthine run in the Tottenham half.
The former United player gained a meter of space on the edge of the area before bending towards the corner.
A second half flurry saw the Blues overturn the deficit and take a 4-2 lead thanks to two Cole Palmer penalties and a goal from Enzo Fernandez, as the home fans left early.
Son Heung-min scored for Spurs in injury time, but it was not enough to prevent the blushes of Ange Postecoglou, who felt the pressure at the north London club.
Sancho is back in coach Enzo Maresca’s thoughts after missing almost a month of action due to illness, having adapted very well to his arrival.
The 25-year-old made his debut as a second-half substitute against Bournemouth and immediately repaid his manager’s faith by assisting Christopher Nkunku’s late winner.
