Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho is flying high with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League
Jadon Sancho's string of fine performances for Chelsea this season begs the question of what Manchester United were thinking to allow him to join a direct rival.
Sancho joined Enzo Maresca's men on Deadline day on loan until the end of the season after previously falling out with Erik ten Hag in 2023. Despite featuring in pre-season and seemingly being part of United's plans, the winger moved to London after being left out of the first two matchday squads of the season.
The England international registered three assists in three games against Bournemouth, West Ham and Brighton in September. After missing parts of November through injury and illness, the 24-year-old returned to the Chelsea squad to create both goals in the 2-0 win over Heidenheim.
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In midweek, Sancho came off the bench to score his first goal for the Blues and first Premier League goal since May 2023. After scoring the fifth in the 5-1 win at St Mary's, Sancho was hounded by his teammates with a massive smile on his face.
Sancho and Chelsea are currently second in the Premier League table, seven points behind Liverpool. They find themselves nine points above United, something that will leave a sour taste in the mouth of the Red Devils.
And Sancho's words on what could play out at Stamford Bridge this season will irritate United fans even more. "I'm delighted. I finally shot so I'm just over the moon that I got my goal," he said. "We can't get carried away. Obviously, it's nice to be in this position.
"But again, we're going to take it game by game because we still have a long season ahead of us."
During his time at United, Sancho finished runner-up in the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield. Should he and Chelsea beat the odds, the decision-makers at United will be left red-faced.