Jadon Sancho’s journey at Manchester United began with fanfare and high expectations. Signed in 2021, he was hailed as a game-changer, someone who could unlock defences and inject creativity into a struggling side. But reality painted a different picture. Injuries, tactical misfits, and inconsistent form saw Sancho slowly fade into the background.
His breakdown in relationship with Erik ten Hag left him with few options. A loan move to Chelsea emerged as a lifeline, a fresh start at a club whose playing style appeared better suited to his strengths. At Stamford Bridge, there was renewed optimism that Sancho could rediscover the form that once made him a Bundesliga sensation.
On Wednesday night, Chelsea lined up against Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final. In the pre-match press conference via [Manchester Evening News](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jadon-sancho-might-hit-new-31739601), Blues manager Enzo Maresca was asked about Sancho’s future. The curiosity was understandable, Sancho’s loan deal reportedly includes a £25 million obligation to buy.
Has Jadon Sancho played his last game for Chelsea, according to Enzo Maresca, as his loan from Manchester United nears its end?
But Maresca was non-committal. He deftly steered the conversation away from transfer talk, stressing the importance of the final and refusing to offer any concrete answers. It was a calculated move, a coach focused on the immediate challenge, not the uncertain futures that may follow. Given that the Englishman scored on the night, the noise will only get louder in the weeks to come.
> “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.”
Now, will Chelsea buy Jadon Sancho this summer? Given his inconsistent performances, it’s hard to justify the full financial outlay. While the winger has shown flashes of his talent, he hasn’t delivered consistently. In crucial moments, Enzo Maresca has often turned to other, more reliable options.
In that context, Chelsea may decide to accept a financial penalty for not triggering the buy clause, especially if the club is looking to prioritise strengthening other areas of the squad. Sancho’s future remains in limbo—and the final decision could come down to pragmatism over potential.
If Chelsea opt not to complete the deal, Jadon Sancho will return to a Manchester United side where he still doesn’t seem to fit. The club will then face a decision: reintegrate him, pursue another loan, or look for a permanent transfer. But there’s a deeper issue to consider, Sancho may simply be a player whose talents have been lost in systems that don’t suit his style.
At neither United nor Chelsea has he been allowed to flourish. Perhaps his ideal destination lies outside the Premier League, in a setup that offers him tactical freedom and unwavering confidence from the start. That path may not generate headlines, but it could be the only way for Sancho to rediscover his rhythm. The talent is there, what he needs now is clarity, consistency, and a space that nurtures rather than constrains him.