Chelsea legend urges club to sign ‘fantastic’ Man Utd star

Chelsea legend urges club to sign ‘fantastic’ Man Utd star

A former Chelsea player who won both the Premier League and the Champions League has recommended his old team to recruit Manchester United’s “fantastic” Jadon Sancho before the transfer deadline.

Sancho, who was benched by United manager Erik ten Hag for the first two games of the new season, has been linked to Chelsea in an unexpected move.

Sancho is “likely” to depart Manchester United before the summer transfer window closes on Friday night, according to The Athletic, with Chelsea and Juventus showing interest in a deal.

After joining Old Trafford for £73 million from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, Sancho has had a lackluster tenure, managing just 12 goals in 83 games.

He spent the second-half of last season back on loan at Dortmund and appeared to rediscover some form in the Bundesliga, helping his former club reach the Champions League final.

United fans sensed Sancho could be set for a revival after he was reintegrated back into Ten Hag’s first-team during pre-season but the 24-year-old was then left out of the Premier League games against Fulham and Brighton.

Despite his indifferent form, Sancho has attracted interest from fellow Premier League club Chelsea and ex-Blues star John Obi Mikel has endorsed the deal.

Speaking on his podcast, Obi Mikel – who won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League during his spell at Chelsea – said: ‘If we can get him through the door at Chelsea, I’d be very, very happy.

‘He’s a fantastic player. I think on that side of the pitch, we’re very strong. But listen, if we can get a player like Jadon, of course, you’d be happy to have him. If that happens, I’d be very happy.’

While Obi Mikel would welcome Sancho’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal legend and Chelsea fan Paul Merson says the move doesn’t make a lot of sense.

‘There’s talk of Chelsea wanting to sign Jadon Sancho,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.

‘But honestly, I don’t see that happening. Chelsea don’t need another winger, what they need is a goalkeeper and a centre-forward.’

One possible option for Manchester United is to ask Chelsea for a player of their own in any deal involving Sancho.

Raheem Sterling is an option after being banished from first-team training by Enzo Maresca and the England international is believed to be ‘open’ to joining the Red Devils despite his links to Manchester City