Maresca has some big decisions to makeMaresca has some big decisions to make
Maresca has some big decisions to make | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea are said to be mulling over a key recruitment decision ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea are due to make a decision over one of their players, according to one reporter. The Blues have an interesting summer ahead having secured Champions League qualification and a Conference League title.
Chelsea have already made a strong start, well on their way to wrapping up a deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. It’s reported the Blues could even sign a second striker this summer, while they are also likely to be in the market for a winger and a centre-back as a minimum.
The Blues are short of depth out wide, though they can still help themselves on that front by completing what is a pretty cheap deal for Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho. Sancho spent this season on loan at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea have the option to buy him for just £25million.
Alternatively, they can send him back to Old Trafford for £5million, and it seems much will depend on wage negotiations. Those discussions are said to be ongoing, according to Fabrizio Romano.
“It’s crucial hours for Chelsea and Jadon Sancho. Today, tomorrow…let’s say this week,” Romano said on his YouTube channel. “Chelsea will make a decision on him. Get ready for the Jadon Sancho case! They are negotiating contract terms. Chelsea are having discussions around Jamie Gittens, they believe he could be a smart investment, at a good price, there’s also the ex Man City academy factor, with the likes of Lavia, Palmer, Delap and Joe Shields who is now very important in deciding targets.”
Chelsea boss Maresca has said of Sancho’s situation: “We are going to sit with the club and decide what happens for next year.” On the winger’s form this season, he added: “It is normal in a season to go a little bit up and down, it is part of the game.”
Sancho praise
Sancho made a fast start to life at Chelsea, with that one performance at Bournemouth standing out as perhaps his best display. Speaking after that game, former Premier League midfielder Leon Osman told the Premier League website: “His interview after the game was really good as well, he was thanking the staff, he was thanking his teammates because he seems to already feel very settled. I have not seen him talk like that in the last couple of seasons about how happy he is and thankful that they made him feel so comfortable and a player of that quality that feels comfortable will give you this kind of performance and he looks like he might have found his home.
“He might have found the place where he’s meant to be playing football because this is the Jadon Sancho that we all know he’s capable of being the one that lit up his time in Dortmund the first time certainly.”
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