Maresca non-committal over Sancho’s future at Chelsea

LONDON: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca on Wednesday admitted Jadon Sancho “could do better” but was non-committal over the forward´s future at Stamford Bridge.

Reports last week said Chelsea were willing to sign the winger on a permanent deal from Manchester United despite a £5 million ($6.5 million) clause that would allow them to cancel the agreement.

Sancho moved to Stamford Bridge on loan in August in a deal that reportedly included an obligation for Chelsea to buy the player for between £20 and £25 million.

But after a promising start to life at the club the 25-year-old´s form has dipped and details have emerged of a way out for the London club if they paid a cancellation fee.

With just two goals in all competitions and none since December, Sancho has struggled to hold down a regular place in Maresca´s side as they chase qualification for next season´s Champions League.

Maresca, whose fourth-placed team host Tottenham on Thursday, was asked at his pre-match press conference whether he wanted to sign Sancho permanently.

“All the players that are with us, I love all of them,” he said. “But in this moment, it´s the moment to finish well and then it´s not the moment to think about next season.

“I´m completely focused about nine games, two months to go. I´m completely focused about that. Then what happens in summer, we´ll see.”

The Chelsea manager was pressed on what Sancho needed to do to prove himself.

“For me, Jadon´s situation doesn´t change,” he said. “He´s exactly the same. For sure, in terms of numbers, he could do better, no doubt.