In the past season, England winger Sancho’s performance has been the concern of the outside world. Originally regarded as the star of Chelsea’s side, he has fallen from the edge of the starting lineup to the center of rumors of a “return” in a matter of months. So the question is: Can Sancho turn his fortunes around at Chelsea?
Sancho’s ups and downs at Chelsea
Early on in the season, Sancho’s form was a revelation; in September 2024, he dished out four assists in his first three games in the Premier League, displaying the same kind of sharp, slick attacking style that characterized his time at Borussia Dortmund. At that point, many Blues fans began to expect that the once highly touted player might finally be about to break out in the English league.
However, the good times didn’t last long. From October onwards, Sancho’s form began to fluctuate, especially in the two games against Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, although he scored a goal each, but the overall sense of involvement was not strong. After that, his performances plummeted even further.
By December onwards, Sancho’s presence on the field became thinner and thinner. Although Chelsea boss Maresca was still giving him appearances, he basically didn’t shine much. From the end of last year to the most recent game against Ipswich, Sancho only dished out one assist against Crystal Palace in early January, and contributed almost nothing in the rest of the games. A monotonous style of play, a lack of creativity and an ease of being seen off by the opposition has become his biggest problem at the moment.
Are Chelsea still willing to keep Sancho?
Because of this long period of silence, the British media reported that Chelsea intends to return Sancho to Manchester United at the end of the season, and pay about 5 million pounds of “compensation for termination of the contract” to avoid the activation of the mandatory buyout clause. This move also seems to release a signal: the Blues senior management of Sancho’s patience is running out.
From the perspective of return on investment, spending more than £20 million to sign an unstable player does make people hesitate. Chelsea’s record this season has not been stable enough, and naturally they will not be willing to take additional risks.
Self redemption at a crucial time
However, just when everyone thought he would say goodbye to Chelsea for good, Sancho seized an opportunity in the 32nd round of the EPL.
In that match against Ipswich, Chelsea was 1-2 down at one point. In the 68th minute, Maresca brought Sancho on in the hope that he could make a difference. And the 2000-born winger did not disappoint.
In the 78th minute, he received a pass from teammate Palmer in the penalty area, and after a slight adjustment, he fired a powerful right-footed shot, which flew directly into the far corner of the goal, equalizing the score for his team. This crucial goal not only snatched a point for his team, but also became one of Sancho’s most shining moments this season.
The strike was more than just a goal, it was a declaration that he hasn’t given up on his future at Chelsea.
Sancho’s next step: stay or drift again?
The ideal scenario for Sancho would of course be to stay at Chelsea and continue his development. He has long understood that if he is returned to Manchester United, he fears he won’t have any chance of re-emerging over there. With the Red Devils now brimming with talent in their attacking line, it’s highly likely that Sancho will be used as part of the transfer funds to be sold to another team once again.
Every transfer is a start from scratch for a player – a new coach, a new system, new teammates, and a re-adaptation to the rhythm of the game. This process of constantly switching environments often affects the player’s condition and psychology.
On the Chelsea side, after a season of bonding, Sancho gradually adapted to the team’s playing style and rhythm. Instead of starting all over again, he prefers to take root in the Blues and fight for a stable position.
Manager Maresca also responded to reporters’ questions after the game, saying: “Sancho had a good game. We rotated the lineup and gave him the opportunity to come on as a substitute. He can always create threats in the second half, such as goals and assists. Of course, it’s not the right time to talk about his future, we have to focus on the final stage of the season.”
From these words, it can be seen that even though Maresca did not give a clear answer, he did not completely dismiss the possibility of Sancho remaining in the team. In other words, as long as Sancho continues his positive form in the upcoming matches, he still has a chance to fight to stay.
Whether he can reverse his fortunes is up to him.
Sancho is currently 25 years old and is in the prime age of a player. He has some skills and experience in the game, and has proven himself in Europe. But the problem is that he needs to improve his mentality and game consistency.
Much of the ups and downs in this period have been due to a lack of confidence and pace of play. If he can seize the opportunity of the next few games and play a few more high level games, it is entirely possible for him to impress the Chelsea hierarchy and make the team change its mind.
And on a practical level, Chelsea is also facing a shortage of wingers. Sterling’s form is slipping, Madueke has not yet stabilized, and Sancho will be an important addition to the team’s side if he can return to form.
Conclusion: A turnaround is not out of the question
On the surface, Sancho seems to be on the verge of leaving the team; however, as long as he seizes every opportunity to come on as a substitute, he may regain his trust. His fate is actually still in his own hands.
Will Chelsea finally buy Sancho out? This is still unknown. But what is certain is that the period between now and the end of the season will be the key to deciding Sancho’s future. If he can play steadily and continue to contribute during this period, then the “turnaround” is not a mirage.
For those who like to watch football, especially the EPL, this kind of suspense is the charm of soccer. Do you think Sancho will stay with the Blues? Feel free to leave a comment and discuss.
Post Comment