Enzo Maresca bought Jadon Sancho to Chelsea in the summer but has only used him on occasion as he challenges the ex-Manchester United man to remain primed if he wants more minutes
Jadon Sancho has struggled for starts at Chelsea and Enzo Maresca has challenged him to be “mentally and physically” fit.
The winger made a loan move from Manchester United to the Blues in the summer, a switch that will become permanent, but he’s found starts hard to come by. Not since October 20 has Sancho started a game for the west London outfit.
He was handed another opportunity on Thursday night in the Europa Conference League at Heidenheim and provided an assist as Chelsea won out 2-0. Maresca has maintained that Sancho remains part of his plans but has underlined the need for the ex-Borussia Dortmund man to be in prime condition.
He said: “I said since we start, Jadon is very important for us. He has to be fit, mentally and physically and he is going to help us a lot. Unfortunately we did not use him in the last few games but he is showing tonight how important he is. We need that quality in the last third against a low block. He is going to help us a lot.”
Sancho’s problem is the amount of competition that currently exists at Chelsea. The club are not short of options following several years of heavy recruitment and Maresca is spoilt for choice when it comes to players in the final third.
Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke are among those who seem to be preferred on the wings with Sancho providing an option from the bench. The Englishman has made seven appearances for Chelsea this term, nearly ten less than some of his team-mates.
The games continue to come thick and fast for the Premier League outfit, who are still operating in a range of competitions, whilst the hectic festive period is about to begin. Maresca has underlined the need for a squad effort with the Italian likely to shuffle his pack on numerous occasions.
He said on his squad players: “They did fantastic. I think all of them. Jadon Sancho did a very good game. Axel [Disasi] and Benoit [Badiashile]. Cesare [Casadei] did well. They are ready and it’s important. Filip [Jorgensen] did a very good game, Christo [Nkunku] the same. We have nine or 10 games in December so they are going to get more chances. They need to be ready.”
Chelsea will play three games in the space of a week beginning with a clash against Aston Villa on Sunday. They then travel to Southampton and Tottenham before resuming their European campaign.
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