Jadon Sancho is struggling to break into Chelsea’s starting XI, and manager Enzo Maresca has urged him to improve his fitness, both mentally and physically.
The winger joined Chelsea on loan from Manchester United in the summer, with the move set to become permanent. However, Sancho is finding it hard to get enough minutes, last starting on October 20.
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He was given a chance to start in Thursday’s Europa Conference League match against Heidenheim, where he provided an assist in Chelsea’s 2-0 win.
Maresca’s requirements of Sancho
Maresca praised Sancho’s quality but said he needed to be at his best to help the team.
“I said since the beginning, Jadon is very important for us,” Maresca said, as quoted by The Mirror.
“He must be fit, mentally and physically, and he will help us a lot. Unfortunately, we didn’t use him in the last games, but tonight he showed how important he is for us. We need that quality in the final third against a low block. He‘s going to help us a lot.”
He has much competition at Chelsea, as the club is filled with attacking talent after years of heavy spending. The likes of Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke have been preferred on the wings, leaving Sancho to start matches from the bench.
The 23-year-old has managed a mere seven appearances this season – significantly less than many of his teammates.
