With Champions League qualification edging ever closer, alongside next week’s Conference League final, the future certainly looks bright for those at Chelsea under the Todd Boehly regime.
Indeed, there is growing excitement amid the imminent arrival of exciting South American duo, Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez, with the teenage pair set to make their belated moves to Stamford Bridge ahead of next season.
With a deal having also been struck to sign Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP in 2026, the Blues will once again bolster their attacking ranks with another high-potential addition, despite Enzo Maresca already being blessed with the likes of Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke and, of course, Cole Palmer.
Where does all this leave Jadon Sancho, however? The man signed on loan from Manchester United last summer, with a £20m-£25m obligation to buy included, could still move on at the end of 2024/25, having registered just eight goal involvements in the Premier League this season.
Conflicting reports have emerged over his future, with GIVEMESPORT outlining that the west Londoners could make that deal permanent, only to then swiftly sell him on. Alternatively, the Mirror reported last week that Boehly and co could pay the £5m cancellation fee to send him back to Old Trafford, amid interest from the Bundesliga.
Whatever the case, it would appear that the 25-year-old is not the solution for Maresca’s side, with a marquee upgrade needed this summer.
Latest on Chelsea's search for a winger
Sancho – who has 14 goals and assists to his name for Chelsea in 39 games – has also been the subject of interest from both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Turkey, with a fresh start seemingly on the cards next season for the struggling star.
With Mykhailo Mudryk still sidelined, there does appear a need to strengthen on the left flank, in particular, with recent reports indicating that the club are stepping up their interest in a statement solution.
As per GOAL, Chelsea have been keeping a close eye on Rodrygo’s situation at Real Madrid, with the report indicating that the Blues are even plotting a bid for the Brazilian when the transfer window opens next month.
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The piece notes that while ‘formal talks’ have not yet begun regarding that potential move, there have been discussions held with the 24-year-old’s representatives, with the player having become unsettled at the Bernabeu.
The suggestion is that Rodrygo is waiting to see what the future holds for him under incoming Madrid boss, Xabi Alonso, before deciding whether to depart, having seen his role limited amid the presence of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.
If Chelsea are able to pounce on that uncertainty, it would represent an almighty coup for those at Stamford Bridge, while also ensuring that Sancho can be firmly shown the door.
How Rodrygo compares to Jadon Sancho
There was a time in which Sancho looked like the next big thing in the European game, not least considering his record of 120 goals and assists in 158 games across his two spells at Borussia Dortmund.
Unfortunately for the England international, his stock has plummeted following that £73m switch to Man United in 2021, having registered just 18 goals and assists in 83 games for the Red Devils.
Despite flashes of quality while on loan in west London, including his stunner against Tottenham Hotspur back in December, the winger has failed to truly revive his career under Maresca’s watch, hence the need to look elsewhere this summer.
Rodrygo – who is the same age as Sancho – would surely be the perfect successor, with the former Santos sensation arguably among the “best players in the world”, according to departing coach, Carlo Ancelotti.
As noted below, the relatively young talent has repeatedly delivered the goods on the Champions League stage for Los Blancos, while racking up 118 goal involvements in 267 appearances in total.
Even despite enduring a frustrating 2024/25 campaign, Rodrygo has still easily surpassed Sancho’s return of 14 goal involvements, chalking up 23 goals and assists across all fronts.
It is worth noting that such a return has come despite the Brazil star largely having to operate on the right flank, due to the presence of Mbappe and Vinicius, despite his best work actually coming on the opposite side.
Games (starts)
30 (22)
30 (18)
Goals
6
3
Goal frequency
323min
570min
Big chances missed
1
3
Assists
5
4
Big chances created
5
6
Key passes*
1.6
1.2
Pass accuracy*
91%
85%
Successful dribbles*
1.6
1.5
Indeed, in 12 appearances on the left this season, he boasts 12 goals and assists, thus indicating why he could simply soar if handed that role on a regular basis under Maresca next term.
In the case of Sancho, the Blues were taking a chance on a player who was in desperate need of a career revival. With Rodrygo, however, they would be plucking a super-talented and highly-rated asset from one of Europe’s elite clubs.
What a mouthwatering prospect that would be.
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