Jadon Sancho is struggling at Chelsea. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United may have been sweating at the prospect of yet another player instantly rediscovering their best form post-exit during Jadon Sancho’s start to life at . The 24-year-old looked liberated as he provided assists in three consecutive games against Bournemouth, West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion.
However, Sancho has meandered back into mediocrity across the past three months, contributing to ‘s inconsistent results. He was brighter than has been the norm of late in Sunday’s 1-0 win against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge, drawing a foul inside the box to win a penalty. Yet, Sancho seldom looks convincing in front of goal, and his assists have dried up, too.
Sancho’s last 16 appearances haven’t bore a single goal – and his only assist came in the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on January 4.
His assist for Palmer at Selhurst Park was his only such contribution in the 19 Premier League games that followed the creative threepeat at the start of his career.
No matter how you frame it, two goals and six assists in 26 games in all competitions can’t be the output of a starting winger in a team vying for a return among Europe’s elite.
Sancho aired his frustrations after Marc Cucurella’s strike proved to be the difference against Leicester over the weekend.
“Step by step. I know I can do better, especially in front of goal. It’s annoying not to score, but I know it’ll come,” Sancho told ‘s official website.
Erik ten Hag axed Jadon Sancho last summer. (Image: Getty)
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“You just have to take time and be patient, but step by step. We’re very happy with the points.
“It’s a great position to be in, we want to play Champions League next year, that’s the aim, but it’s gonna be very tough. We’ve got to keep at it 100% all of the time.”
United’s difficulties in front of goal this season have emphasised the need for an established goalscorer to arrive at Old Trafford in the summer.
It’s believed to be among Amorim’s priorities, as well as another attacker more suited to operating in the two attacking midfield positions.
Sancho’s style, in theory, would have suited the 3-4-3 system to a tee and had Amorim arrived last summer rather than in November, he could have stayed put.
But the Englishman’s exclusion from ‘s early squads aimed a spotlight on the writing that was already on the wall.
He had to leave, and his underwhelming exploits in the capital since have proven Ten Hag and United right. Whether Sancho can cut it in the Premier League is a question that remains unanswered.
When he completes his £25million move to in the summer, as per his loan agreement, the selling club should be the happier party.