The former Manchester United star snubbed by former United boss might get a second chance at fate with new manager Ruben Amorim.
Experts believe that Jaden Sancho could be given a “fresh start” at Manchester United next summer with a new era at Old Traffford about to begin with Ruben Amorim in charge.
This means that Chelsea will not honor the loan-to-buy option and will allow Sancho to return to Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag was sacked as United boss last month after a poor start to the 2024/25 season. Amorim will officially take over as Ten Hag’s successor after the ongoing international break, with United taking on Ipswich Town.
Sancho to United?
Fans with Chelsea tickets welcomed Jaden Sancho to the club in the summer after Ten Hag didn’t want Sancho to return to the side.
Chelsea’s agreement had an obligation for them to purchase the 24-year-old once the deal expired.
The conditions are that if Chelsea finishes within the first 14 places in the Premier League table, then Sancho will permanently become a Blues player next summer. Chelsea will pay United around £20million, with added incentives for performance.
Former Southampton and West Ham United defender Fonte believes that if those conditions are not met, Sancho will have the opportunity to prove himself in Manchester again. “Jadon Sancho will get a chance to impress Ruben Amorim in the summer because it’s a fresh start and a new opportunity for everyone,” Fonte said.
“Something might click between him and Amorim because he knows exactly what he wants from his players in every area of the pitch. He also likes to give the No.10s freedom to be creative, and that’s exactly what Sancho needs. It could be a great opportunity for him.”
Sancho started his loan spell at Chelsea in excellent fashion. It is not often that loaned players get the love from those in the stands with Chelsea tickets.
Especially those coming from rival clubs such as Manchester United.
Coming on as a half-time substitute away at Bournemouth in September, the Camberwell-born winger produced the assist for Christopher Nkunku late on in what turned out to be the decisive goal of a tight game on the south coast.
Back-to-back appearances against West Ham and Brighton were to follow for Sancho, and he also recorded an assist in both matches. Less impactful cameos against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool followed before illness and a minor injury has kept him sidelined in the last few weeks.
Either way, Enzo Maresca’s style of play suits Sancho, who endured a torrid time at Man United before moving to West London. “I think it’s the manager who drew me to the project,” Sancho said on Maresca after signing for the club late in the summer transfer window.
“I knew him from his time with Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. He spoke to me about this project and what he was building here, and for a young player like myself, it’s exciting, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Sancho continued: “They’re signing me for a reason and to contribute to the team, and I’m ready to do that. I enjoy his style of play.”
Many with Chelsea tickets for the season are now asking if they want to let Sancho go. While there are ample players to take his place, the question will be whether they want to let him go back and lose the momentum.
Christopher Nkunku Wants Out
Christopher Nkunku is considering his future at Chelsea after failing to secure a regular first-team place under Enzo Maresca.
Nkunku was the subject of an inquiry from Manchester United in the summer, but there was no official approach, and he stayed at Chelsea to fight for his place. However, the France international has grown increasingly frustrated with his lack of opportunities at Stamford Bridge.
Although the 26-year-old has made 17 appearances for Chelsea this season—scoring ten goals, making him the top scorer—he has only started one Premier League game, the defeat by Manchester City in August, the first fixture of the campaign.
Since then, Nkunku has come on nine times as a substitute, including in the 88th minute of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal.
Nkunku has made seven starts for Chelsea: five in the Europa Conference League and two in the League Cup, which Maresca has effectively used as game time for what constitutes his B-team.
Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana, and Roméo Lavia have not even been included on the roster for Chelsea’s squad in Europe’s third most important cup competition as Maresca looks to spread minutes among fringe players. All three are first-choice in the Premier League.
Nkunku joined Chelsea for £52 million from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 and was regarded as one of the new ownership’s most exciting signings. At that time, co-owner Todd Boehly oversaw transfers.
In his first season at Stamford Bridge, the forward was hampered by a series of injuries, including knee and hamstring problems, but he has been fully fit for some time.
Did not join ‘to sit on the bench’
However, he is clearly behind Nicolas Jackson in the pecking order, and Maresca regards the pair as rivals for the center-forward position in his 4-2-3-1 formation. He said he was wary of playing them together, but one source stated that Nkunku had not joined Chelsea “to sit on the bench.”
Chelsea has an array of attacking talent, including Palmer, Jackson, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, João Félix, Jadon Sancho, and Pedro Neto, who scored his first league goal for the club to salvage a draw against Arsenal.
It is understood that Chelsea would only be willing to listen to offers for Nkunku, whose contract has four years to run, if they can recoup their transfer fee in full.
Those with Chelsea tickets also understand that this phenomenon will not be a one-time occurrence and that we will see more of it. With a star-studded star-studded squad, it will be a matter of time before more players start demanding playing time.
It will be a headache that Enzo Maresca will need to prepare well in time.
If Nkunku is put up for sale, there will likely be several suitors for him. United’s interest came under Erik Ten Hag, and it remains to be seen whether it will be revived under their new head coach, Ruben Amorim.
