Jadon Sancho has had a wild ride at Chelsea—highs and lows, highs and lows, and a price that will prevent the club from letting its breath out. If Sancho is not made Chelsea’s to keep, the Manchester United side will demand £5m ($6.4m) from Chelsea. That’s a big number for a guy who started on fire but has yet to become consistent.
Chelsea included a £25 million ($32.3 million) obligation to buy when they signed him on loan last summer, snatching the England star from the Premier League rivals. The twist is, however, that if the Blues pull the plug on the deal, they still have to cough up £5 million. Breaking up with someone and continuing to pay for the anniversary dinner you never had.
The Jadon Sancho Puzzle: Worth the Price or Buyer’s Remorse?
Three assists in his first three Premier League games indicated that Sancho’s Chelsea debut was promising. Stamford Bridge buzzed, and it appeared as if it had found its next superstar. Things have cooled since that electric start, however. Without Gray, Sancho has one goal and one assist from the 20 league games since followed, as under a damp afternoon tea would be named.
However, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says he remains positive, having played with Sancho while at Manchester City. Maresca claims that he is doing very well. It’s a strong coach, but two goals in 20 games say otherwise. The equivalent would be saying a pizza without cheese is still delicious.
Sancho’s form has dipped, but Chelsea are clearly feeling uneasy as scouts lurk for the next Jeffrey Schleck. Reinforcements have come my way because of the uncertainty over Mykhailo Mudryk’s availability; does that mean I’m also leaving the exit?
Chelsea’s £5 Million Question: Stick or Twist?
The Sancho deal’s only catch is that Chelsea can still walk away from it. That, however, requires Manchester United to hand over £5 million for, frankly, nothing. That’s a pretty expensive souvenir.
From a business perspective, Chelsea’s hesitation is understandable. More than anything, spending £25 million on a player who, yet to truly light the league up, seems like more of a risk than giving your car keys to a toddler. However, neither of those two options is an attractive one: paying £5 million and losing a talented (but hit-and-miss) winger isn’t particularly enticing.
To fans, it is a head-scratcher. Sancho has the skill and the flair to be a game changer. His inconsistency, however, is also an issue with Chelsea’s long-term vision. Dating someone who is always charming but often late, you like them, but you wonder if they will ever be reliable.
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