Jadon Sancho might return to United. (Image: 2025 AMA Sports Photo Agency)
Chelsea played Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday night.
Before that game, Enzo Maresca was asked if the final would be Sancho's last appearance in a Chelsea shirt, and the quotes would have been passed on to the winger and his agent.
Maresca responded: "I don't know. I said that when in the last weeks you asked me about different players, I always said the same. And the reason why is because it's the truth.
"It's not the moment, we have tomorrow the final. Then in 24 hours, 48 hours, we're going to start to talk about the future. But at this moment, there is not any thought or any decision made on Jadon or any different players."
Lasts summer, Chelsea signed Sancho on loan with an obligation agreement to sign him permanently, but they could make the extraordinary decision to break that contract.
Sources have confirmed Chelsea would have to pay 'a significant fee' if they wish to break their agreement, which is believed to be £5million. It is practically unheard of for a club to break such an agreement and it would be embarrassing for Sancho to be sent back to Manchester.
Sancho made a bright start at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea supporters waxed lyrical about their 'bargain signing', but the 25-year-old has suffered a poor second half of the campaign.
In April, Maresca was asked about Sancho's future and said: "I'm completely focused about nine games, two months to go, I'm completely focused about that. Then what happens in summer, we'll see.
"The Jadon situation doesn't change. In terms of numbers, he could do better, no doubt. It is not just about Jadon but we have more players in the same situation."
That was a public admission from Maresca that Sancho wasn't performing to the required level.
Sancho's fall from grace has been spectacular since his Borussia Dortmund days and he has failed to arrest his decline, despite United players tending to succeed when they leave the club.
Just look at the likes of Antony, Anthony Elanga and Scott McTominay this season. They have enjoyed tremendous campaigns and have proved United's environment was holding them back.
Antony has become one of Europe's most in-form wingers at Real Betis, Elanga has been excellent in the Premier League and McTominay has won the Scudetto with Napoli in Italy.
Sancho has contributed three goals and five assists in the league, which is similar to his former output at United, and he's the only player not to have improved since departing Old Trafford.
That suggests Sancho is at fault for his decline just as much as the environment at United.
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