‘Sancho will warm the bench at Chelsea’

Carlo Garganese

1 Sept 2024 12:30 BST
3 min read

Former Tottenham and England defender Michael Dawson has blasted Jadon Sancho’s transfer to Chelsea, saying the winger will sit on the bench at Stamford Bridge.

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The former England international's Manchester United nightmare came to an end on an 11th-hour Deadline Day loan deal that was belatedly announced on Saturday.

The 24-year-old, who had been keen to leave Man Utd after once again finding himself on the outside looking in, joined Chelsea on an initial loan that is almost guaranteed to become permanent for €25 million to €30m next summer. The west London side will automatically sign Sancho long term if they finish higher than 15th in the Premier League.

However, former Spurs defender Dawson - who won four caps for England - doesn’t believe Sancho will see much action at Chelsea.

What did Dawson say?

“Jadon Sancho is a good player, let’s not forget that,” Dawson told Sky Sports.

“But to go to Chelsea, why will it be any different there? Where’s he going to play? I honestly thought he needed to go somewhere where he was going to play.

It has been noted that Chelsea already have a huge amount of wingers who Sancho will compete with for a first-team place.

The Blues boast the likes of Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke and Christopher Nkunku as wide options already.

© IMAGO - Sancho on loan at Dortmund last season

Sancho troubles at Man Utd

Sancho joined Man Utd from Dortmund for €85 million in the summer of 2021.

But he has been a major disappointment at Old Trafford.

He has scored just 12 goals in 82 appearances for United and has regularly been a bench player during his time at the club.

Earlier last season, Sancho was frozen out of the squad at Man Utd.

It came after manager Erik ten Hag criticised Sancho publicly for his poor performances in training, which was followed by the winger essentially calling his manager a liar on social media.

Sancho was not called up again after this incident and was barred from training with the first team, as well as using their facilities and canteen.

Sancho was also deleted from the team’s WhatsApp group by Ten Hag.

United transfer listed him and then sent him on loan to Dortmund in January where he rediscovered some of his form and helped the club to the Champions League final where they lost to Real Madrid.

Read more about: Premier League, Chelsea