Chelsea: Enzo Maresca vague on Jadon Sancho's future amid break clause reports

Evening Standard

·2 April 2025

Chelsea: Enzo Maresca vague on Jadon Sancho's future amid break clause reports

Forward’s future is again in doubt as he struggles for form

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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says he is happy with loanee winger Jadon Sancho’s performances as the club weighs up a break clause in his contract.

Sancho, 25, arrived on loan from Manchester United last summer with an obligation to buy for a £25million fee. He has struggled to kick on after bagging an assist on debut, though, scoring just twice in 29 Chelsea appearances this season.

It has been reported that the player’s contract features a break clause, which could see Chelsea pay £5m to get out of their obligation and send Sancho back to United.

Pressed for an update on the player’s fate ahead of Thursday night’s derby tie against Tottenham, Maresca was noncommital but maintained that he was happy with the shape of his squad.

He said: “I love all the players here. In this moment, [our goal] is to finish well and not think about next season.

“What happens in the summer, we will see. I am happy with all the players here.”

The Italian was similarly avoidant when asked what message he would send to the player as he looks to rediscover his scoring form, saying he is not the only forward in the squad who could improve his output.

Maresca continued: “He can do better in terms of numbers, no doubt, but it is not only Jadon.

“I do not need to give Jadon a message, I speak with him every day. He needs to continue to give his best. That is what we want.”

Sancho’s goalscoring output will be under increased scrutiny as fellow forwards Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer have returned to training following injury layoffs.

It is unclear whether Sancho himself would like to continue at Chelsea. Bild report that the player is keen to return to Borussia Dortmund, the club where he first established himself as one of Europe’s preeminent wingers, a status he has struggled to reclaim since moving to United in 2021.

He spent the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan at the Signal Iduna Park after falling out with Erik ten Hag and being exiled from the Man United squad.