Manchester United legend Andy Cole has expressed concerns over Jadon Sancho’s potential struggles at Chelsea, suggesting he might find it difficult to secure consistent game time unless football expands to “24-a-side.”
Sancho, 24, joined Chelsea on a Deadline Day loan deal, which includes an obligation to buy for around £23 million. While he has yet to make his debut for the Blues, there’s anticipation he could feature in their upcoming match against Bournemouth.
However, Cole, a key figure in Manchester United’s historic treble-winning team, believes the crowded Chelsea squad could pose a challenge for Sancho. Speaking to Betfred, Cole said, “Manchester United spent over £70 million on Jadon three years ago, so they’ve lost a significant amount of money. Jadon is a very talented player, and at just 24 years old, if Chelsea can get him performing like he did at Borussia Dortmund last season, it would be a great deal for them.”
Cole emphasized Sancho’s untapped potential, adding, “There’s so much talent in him, and if Chelsea can unlock it, he could reach the peak of his abilities, making the deal a steal. But you have to wonder, where will he play? With so many players in their squad, it’s going to be tough to break into the team.”
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, has a wealth of attacking options, including Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, and Noni Madueke, which could limit Sancho’s chances of regular playing time.
During his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund in the latter half of last season, Sancho scored two goals and contributed two assists in 14 Bundesliga appearances. Apart from that, he has struggled to feature regularly, particularly following a falling-out with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. Sancho, who has earned 23 caps for England, hasn’t represented his national team in three years.
As Chelsea continues to navigate their stacked roster, it remains to be seen how Sancho will fit into the lineup and whether he can rediscover his best form.
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