Jadon Sancho joined Chelsea on loan from Manchester United in the summer, with the Blues having an obligation to sign the winger on a permanent basis for £25million
23:54, 23 Mar 2025
Sancho
Man Utd could slap a hefty fine on Chelsea if they back out of the Sancho deal(Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea are faced with a big decision on whether to permanently sign Jadon Sancho - but backing out of the long-term deal for the winger will still cost them a pretty penny to Manchester United.
Sancho, 24, was given the cold shoulder by former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag before he was loaned to Chelsea last summer. The agreement included a clause that would make Sancho a full-time Blue for £25million, but rumours have been swirling that the London club might pull the plug on the deal.
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This speculation has come hand in hand with a dry spell for the former Borussia Dortmund ace, who kicked off with some promising displays under Enzo Maresca and initially racked up three assists in his first trio of games in a Chelsea kit.
Jadon Sancho of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park
Sancho started strong at Chelsea but has had a tough few games(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
However, he has since hit a dry spell, failing to find the net since his goal against Tottenham on December 8 and notching his last assist in a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on January 4.
It turns out Chelsea did have the foresight to include an escape clause allowing them to dodge finalising a permanent deal for Sancho, albeit at a cost.
According to The Athletic, they'd be slapped with a £5million penalty fee if they choose to send Sancho packing back to Manchester United.
Despite a change in the managerial guard at Old Trafford since Sancho's move to the capital, it's still up in the air whether he'll get a shot at redemption under Ruben Amorim.
Jadon Sancho didn't appear to be in Erik ten Hag's plans
Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho had a fairly public fall out(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Sancho's future at Manchester United, ex-Chelsea defender William Gallas is convinced that he can't stick around at Stamford Bridge. Speaking to Stadium Astro, he said: "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. At Dortmund, he was a sensation.
"At Manchester United it didn't quite click for him. He came to Chelsea and initially, we saw glimpses of that Dortmund-era Sancho, but then he faded.
"I'm not sure what the issue is, but right now, he can't stay at Chelsea because he needs to step up. When you're in the Premier League, you have to deliver top-notch performances every game.
It's tough, but you can't just shine for a few matches and then take it easy. "
There's already a growing chorus among Chelsea fans calling for the termination of his loan deal, even if it means coughing up a hefty fee to Manchester United.
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