Chelsea felt the deal to signal winger Jadon Sancho from Manchester United on deadline day was too good to show down, 90min understands.
Curiosity in Sancho solely emerged late in the summertime switch window when it turned clear Chelsea needed to dump Raheem Sterling, with head coach Enzo Maresca on the lookout for one other versatile left-sided winger or ahead.
With that temporary in thoughts, co-director of recruitment and expertise Joe Shields started trying intently at Sancho. Shields is extensively credited for unearthing Sancho throughout his time at Manchester Metropolis and introduced information from the winger’s time with Borussia Dortmund as proof that Sancho might excel in the precise system.
United had been searching for £40m to promote Sancho however ended up reducing that asking worth, which solely additional elevated Chelsea’s want to strike a deal. A mortgage with an compulsory buy clause was agreed at between £20m and £25m, with the determine to be decided by Chelsea’s ultimate league standing on the finish of the season. For the clause to be triggered, Chelsea should end at worst 14th, and the upper they place, the extra United get.
Sources have confirmed to 90min that Chelsea have been delighted with these funds, assured that Sancho will both justify the expense and be an enormous success at Stamford Bridge or finally be bought on for the same charge if issues don’t work out sooner or later additional down the road.
Sancho additionally took a pay minimize to seal a transfer to Stamford Bridge and is on decrease wage than Sterling, who made a mortgage transfer of his personal to Arsenal on deadline day, aiding Chelsea’s quest to decrease their wage invoice.
The enterprise facet of issues appealed to Chelsea’s decision-makers, whereas on the pitch, Maresca was additionally impressed. The brand new boss likes wingers who can assault their defenders out broad and in addition end like strikers within the field, and the assumption is that Sancho can supply a worthwhile contribution to the crew.
Whereas Chelsea might seem to have an extra of left wingers on paper, they don’t see it as such. Maresca’s system requires versatility and, though Pedro Neto and Joao Felix might seem pure suits for the left-sided position, the sensation is that every of Chelsea’s wingers shall be required to assist on either side of the pitch throughout the marketing campaign and even in a central position. Neto relishes enjoying on the precise and Felix’s most well-liked place is a central one.
Sancho was introduced to followers forward of the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and can prepare with Maresca through the worldwide break. He might make his debut for Chelsea within the journey to Bournemouth on September 14.
