Peter Crouch is on TNT Sports’ coverage of Chelsea – Heidenheim tonight, and pre-game he was asked about the returning Jadon Sancho and what he makes of his season at Stamford Bridge so far:
“I think he started really, really well. He looked like a completely different player to the one that we saw at Manchester United, the minute he arrived at Chelsea,” Crouch said.
“But then he’s kind of stopped and stuttered and started and since then really, just with the illness and the injury, fitness wise he’s not been up to speed. But I think out of this team today, he’s the one you’d think… if he performs today he has the opportunity to start at the weekend,” the former Liverpool striker continued.
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Jadon Sancho huffs and puffs off the ball. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Chelsea players celebrate a goal in a huddle.
Jadon Sancho training at a chilly Cobham. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
“He’s that good and the manager thinks highly of him. It’s just proving his fitness and proving he can do it over a sustained period, because the amount of ability he has as a player – he was the best player on the park in the Champions League final. He’s played at the top, top level and he’s proved that he can do it. He just needs to get that consistency.
Jadon Sancho warms up before a Conference League game.
Jadon Sancho warms up before a Conference League game.
Pundit overrates Sancho’s starting chances
It’s an interesting take, and we agree with a lot of it. The one thing we’d dispute is that he has a chance of making the team for Sunday if he plays well tonight. After so long out (he’s not started a game since October 20th), there’s no way he gets two starts in a week.
Not only that, but Pedro Neto and Joao Felix should both in the pecking order ahead of him after they each put in good performances since Sancho’s last game. So if the 24 year old wants a Premier League start again, it could be a long road.