Republic of Ireland V England, UEFA Nations League.
Ex-England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright (Picture: Getty)
Ian Wright believes Chelsea’s £25m deal to sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United will prove to be an ‘amazing bargain’.
Sancho ended an underwhelming spell at Old Trafford by joining United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea on loan last summer.
The England international will spend the rest of the season at Stamford Bridge and as part of the deal Chelsea agreed to sign him permanently for around £25m next summer.
Sancho only scored 12 goals in 83 appearances for Manchester United following a £73m move from Borussia Dortmund but already looks better and happier at high-flying Chelsea.
Ex-Arsenal and England striker Wright has backed Sancho to prove he is a ‘top player’ at Chelsea and believes at £25m he is an ‘amazing bargain’.
Sancho scored a superb goal in Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Tottenham on Sunday.
‘I need to give flowers to Jadon Sancho,’ Wright said on his podcast. ‘He was very good [against Tottenham], he was good.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Jadon Sancho of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Stamford Bridge on September 28, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho joined Chelsea from Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
‘He said afterwards about proving people wrong and feeling welcome so he obviously didn’t feel that at the other place, at Man United, probably.
‘Why would he say that otherwise? He didn’t feel like he was at the bosom of a football club that recognised what he can do and gave him the platform to express himself.
‘Even when he went to Dortmund last season he was proving people wrong.
‘I’m just pleased he’s shown since leaving United that in the right environment he is a top player, a top player.’
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After being told that Sancho would cost Chelsea £25m next summer, Wright added: ‘Wow, £25m, that is an amazing bargain, an amazing bargain.’
Sancho is part of a Chelsea team that have only lost two of their 15 league games this season to climb to second in the Premier League and emerge as surprise title contenders.
Wright is intrigued to see if Chelsea can maintain their title push but believes they need a new goalkeeper and ‘experienced centre-back’ to go to ‘the next level’.
‘A goalkeeper and an experienced centre-half takes them to the next level,’ Wright said. ‘I think they’re only missing a good goalkeeper and an experienced centre-half.
‘I think the goalkeeper has it in him to drop some points. But Chelsea can just continue as they are, no one is expecting it from then, so we will see what Chelsea and Enzo Maresca are made of later in the season.
‘If they get an experienced guy in the dressing room, they are right amongst it. I keep saying it but watch this space with Chelsea.’
Chelsea face Astana in the Europa League on Thursday night before returning to Premier League action on Sunday against west London rivals Brentford.
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