Enzo Maresca tells Man Utd they sold a ‘special player’

Manchester United had signed Sancho for over £70m in 2021, expecting great things from the England international following his standout performances at Borussia Dortmund.

However, Sancho managed just 58 Premier League appearances and nine goals for United before being loaned to Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

The 24-year-old, who had a fallout with United’s under-fire manager Erik ten Hag, moved to Chelsea on loan until the end of the season.

As part of the deal, Chelsea agreed to make the move permanent next summer for a fee between £20-25m.

While Sancho has yet to score for Chelsea, he has provided three assists in four league games.

Maresca, who took over at Chelsea from Leicester City in July, is pleased with Sancho’s contributions so far and urged him to continue proving his worth in the coming months.

‘Jadon is doing well,’ Maresca said at a press conference on Friday. ‘He needs to continue in the same way; work hard, every day.

‘As I’ve said before, for sure he is going to help us. We really believe that he is a special player.

‘But the only way for him to confirm that is by working hard every day and never be happy and always be ambitious. He needs to want more and more and more.’

Sancho has contributed to Chelsea’s impressive start to the season, with the Blues taking 14 points from seven games to sit fourth in the Premier League table.

The England international flopped at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea were widely expected to struggle in Maresca’s first season at the club but the Blues have lost just one game – their opening-day clash against defending champions Manchester City.

Asked to rate his team’s start to the 2024-25 campaign, Maresca said: ‘I’m very happy because what I expected in terms of players, level and style, I can see clearly that is there.

‘It doesn’t matter in this moment who is going to play, you can see clearly how we want to play.’

Chelsea’s superb form and dynamic style of play will be put to the test on Sunday when they travel to Anfield to face Premier League leaders Liverpool.

On the threat of Liverpool, Maresca said: ‘They are doing fantastic. Very good players, very good manager, very good club.

‘It’s already many years Liverpool are there, so they are continuing to do that and that is important for them.’

The Italian added: ‘I think it is a special game for all of the clubs. Liverpool is a nice environment, fantastic stadium.

‘We are excited to play this kind of game. All the games we have played until now have not been easy. We are going to do our best.

‘I don’t think Sunday’s game defines where we are. In this moment, we have to be focused on things we need to improve.

‘We have Liverpool and then two or three more games. Nottingham wasn’t an easy game, or Brighton, West Ham away or Bournemouth away.

‘Premier League is the best league in the world and the toughest league in the world.’