Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gives instructions to Jadon Sancho (left). Erik ten Hag says Jadon Sancho’s sensational Champions League performance for Borussia Dortmund showed why Manchester United bought him and underlined his “high value” ahead of the summer. Issue date: Thursday May 2, 2024
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gives instructions to Jadon Sancho (Image: PA)
Jermain Defoe has praised Jadon Sancho's performance for Chelsea against Tottenham, describing it as his best in the Premier League and suggesting he had been 'playing with a handbrake on' at Manchester United.
Sancho impressed in Chelsea's 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday, scoring a brilliant goal in North London, and Defoe was full of praise for the England international while working on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.
"I thought he looked really sharp yesterday," Defoe said.
"It's almost like he's been playing with a handbrake [on], you'd see him too many times he'd receive it and it would go back and you're sort of like, 'Just go at people! '. But this is Jadon Sancho, 100 per cent. It's not an easy finish, to be honest, but from that angle, it's a really easy finish."
Sancho joined United for £73million in the summer of 2021 but Chelsea's obligation to buy Sancho could be triggered next summer for £20-25million if they finish 14th or higher, following his fallout with former United boss Erik ten Hag. With Chelsea's recent victory taking them to second place in the Premier League, Sancho's stay at Stamford Bridge seems likely to become permanent.
"Since we started, the reason why Jadon came here is because we think Jadon is going to help us," said Blues manager Enzo Maresca post-match. "Unfortunately he had small problems so he was out for a while.
"Now he is back and the only thing he has to do is continue in the same way. He cannot drop, otherwise he is not going to play. His performance and Pedro Neto, on and off the ball was very good.
"Off the ball, they were running, following Udogie and defensively they were very good. This is what we need."
And Sancho is seemingly content at Stamford Bridge, with a record of seven goal contributions across 11 appearances to his name this term.
"From day one, they made me feel welcome at Chelsea," revealed Sancho in an interview with Super Sport TV.
"I know that I have a lot of people to prove wrong. I've been working very hard. Let me say thank you to the staff and the team for believing in me and giving me the opportunity."