Enzo Maresca, Chelsea manager, believes Manchester United let go of a 'unique talent' in Jadon Sancho

Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, has stated his belief that Manchester United made a mistake in selling Jadon Sancho, whom he considers to be a truly exceptional player.

Sancho has made an encouraging start to his Stamford Bridge career after ending his dismal spell at Old Trafford last summer.

United spent more than £70m to bring Sancho to the club in 2021 and had high hopes for the England international following his impressive stint with Borussia Dortmund.

But Sancho only made 58 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, scoring nine goals, before being offloaded to Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

The 24-year-old, who fell out with under pressure United boss Erik ten Hag, joined Chelsea on loan until the end of the season but as part of the deal the west London club agreed to sign him on a permanent transfer next summer for between £20-25m.

Sancho is yet to open his account for Chelsea but has three assists in four Premier League appearances and Maresca insists he is pleased with his performances.

Maresca, who left his job with Leicester City to take over at Stamford Bridge in July, believes Chelsea have signed a ‘special player’ and urged Sancho to prove as much 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.

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

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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.’

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