Struggle: Jadon Sancho
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Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has launched a stinging criticism of Jadon Sancho following the loanee’s performance in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Sancho started at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, playing for 76 minutes before being replaced by Chelsea youngster Tyrique George having failed to end a run of nine-Premier League appearances without registering a goal contribution.
Switching over to the right-hand side after operating on the left in the Conference League win over Copenhagen three days prior, Sancho has been criticised by Gallas for doing “nothing” despite being up against Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Speaking on Stadium Astro, Gallas said: "Did you see him dribble past his left-back today? No. He did nothing.
"He didn’t challenge his left-back opponent. He always gets the ball, does some skills, and then passes the ball back. We want to see more, especially when you are the winger."
As part of Sancho’s loan move from Manchester United, an obligation to make the move a permanent one in the summer for a fee of around £25million has been included if certain criteria is met.
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That criteria is believed to be Chelsea finishing 14th or higher in the Premier League table - which is not mathematically guaranteed yet.
Regardless, Gallas believes Sancho “can’t stay” at Chelsea, thus instructing his former club to perform a u-turn on the deal amid reports they can back out of the arrangement if they pay a significant penalty to break the terms of the agreement.
"That player has talent. He’s a talented player, everybody knows this, but we don’t know why he can’t perform and can’t show what he can do,” Gallas added.
He always gets the ball, does some skills, and then passes the ball back. We want to see more, especially when you are the winger.
"At Dortmund, he was magnificent. At Manchester United it didn’t work well for him. He came to Chelsea and at the beginning we saw that Sancho from Dortmund, but then he disappeared.
"I don’t know what the problem is, but at the moment he can’t stay at Chelsea because he has to do more.
"When you play in the Premier League you have to play every game at the highest level. It’s not easy, but you can’t just play well for a few games and then chill out."
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