Once hailed as one of the brightest young talents in European football, Jadon Sancho’s journey has taken a dramatic downturn. From a record-breaking £73 million move to Manchester United, to Chelsea now paying £5 million not to make his loan permanent, the 25-year-old winger’s career trajectory has been anything but straightforward.
The Rise: Europe’s Most Wanted Talent
Back in 2020, Sancho had the world at his feet. At just 20 years old, he delivered a stunning Bundesliga season for Borussia Dortmund, registering 17 goals and 16 assists, earning the admiration of Europe’s elite.
Despite a drawn-out transfer saga, Manchester United finally secured the England winger for £73 million in July 2021. At the time, Sancho described the move as “a dream come true.” Big things were expected.
Struggles at Old Trafford Begin
Sancho’s debut season coincided with managerial instability. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and later interim boss Ralf Rangnick, United were inconsistent, and Sancho’s form suffered — ending the 2021/22 season with just five goals and three assists.
The arrival of Erik ten Hag in 2022 brought new hope, but persistent issues began to resurface. One of them? Timekeeping.
Sancho had a reputation for tardiness at Dortmund, but his performances often overshadowed it. At United, however, it only hurt his standing. Despite an encouraging pre-season, his performances declined sharply — just as he was left out of England’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Breaking Point: Rift with Ten Hag
The turning point came in September 2023 when Sancho was left out of the squad for a match against Arsenal. Ten Hag explained bluntly:
“Because of his performance in training, we didn’t select him.”
Sancho fired back in a now-deleted post:
“I have conducted myself very well in training… I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time, which isn’t fair.”
The public fallout led to a stand-off. Ten Hag demanded an apology; Sancho refused. Despite efforts from teammates and club officials to mediate, he remained frozen out of the squad.
Return to Dortmund: A Glimmer of Redemption
In January 2024, Sancho returned to Dortmund on loan. While not quite replicating his previous magic, he found form again — contributing three goals and three assists in 21 games and helping the team reach the Champions League final, where they lost to Real Madrid.
“It felt like coming home,” Sancho said of his return.
Though signs of sharpness returned toward the end of the season, a permanent move back was financially unrealistic.
Chelsea Loan & the £5m Escape Clause
With Ten Hag still at United, Sancho went on loan again — this time to Chelsea on August 31, 2024. The deal included a unique clause: if Chelsea finished 14th or higher in the Premier League, they would either have to buy Sancho for £25 million or pay a £5 million penalty to avoid the purchase.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance — including a goal in the UEFA Conference League final as Chelsea beat Real Betis — Sancho’s form remained inconsistent. He finished the season with five goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances.
Rather than commit to the permanent transfer, Chelsea chose to pay the £5 million opt-out fee, citing wage concerns (Sancho reportedly earns £300,000 a week) as the primary reason.
What’s Next for Sancho?
As he prepares to return to Manchester United once again, Sancho’s future remains uncertain. At 25, he still has time to rebuild his career, but the aura that once surrounded him has faded.
With fewer suitors than before and reputational baggage to overcome, his next move could define whether he still has a shot at fulfilling his once sky-high potential — or if his story becomes a cautionary tale of talent unfulfilled.
