Jadon Sancho has shown positive signs since moving to Chelsea this season. One of the most impressive moments of the English striker was a beautiful goal against Tottenham in round 15 of the Premier League.
In the Blues shirt, Sancho often chooses sharp passes rather than looking for finishing opportunities. However, this time, the star born in 2000 decided to take a risk and it brought surprising results. This change is not only a sign of improvement in his playing style but also an affirmation of one of the brightest talents in England.
“I have been working a lot on my finishing. The coaching staff and my teammates have encouraged me to be more selfish in front of goal and I have followed suit,” said Jadon Sancho.
Sancho’s early days at Chelsea were not particularly bright, with just six shots in his first 10 Premier League games. However, the game against Tottenham marked a major change as he not only scored but also showed his exceptional creativity. The exquisite through ball that won Moises Caicedo’s first penalty was a prime example of his skill and vision.
"Sancho is someone we need, especially against teams that defend deep. He brings quality in the final third and is a great passer. We will need him a lot," Enzo Maresca said of his player.
His confidence and recent impressive performances have reminded Chelsea fans of Sancho's time at Borussia Dortmund, where he was a nightmare for Bundesliga defenders with 45 assists in four seasons.
One of the reasons Sancho has improved at Chelsea is that he has been given the chance to play in his preferred position on the left flank, something he has had little opportunity to do at Man United. Furthermore, Maresca knows that the 24-year-old is a player who thrives in tight spaces, unlike strikers who rely on speed and power.
Jadon Sancho doesn't have the pace of Eden Hazard but he has the same ball control and tactical awareness. Since joining Chelsea, the former Dortmund player has created many good chances for his teammates when he has attracted 2-3 defenders.
With his ball control and accurate passing, Sancho has become a key part of Chelsea's attacking play. Despite only playing 582 minutes in the Premier League this season, he has averaged 7.4 attempts into the box per 90 minutes - the highest figure in the Blues squad.
Sancho has three assists in nine Premier League appearances this season, equalling his tally in both of his previous two seasons at Man United. However, to become a complete attacker, the England striker needs to improve his finishing.
In his last five games in all competitions, Sancho has taken seven shots, up significantly from just one in his previous seven. However, he is still behind his teammates in terms of the number of shots per 90 minutes. With 1.2 shots per game, Chelsea's new signing is even behind defender Malo Gusto (1.4 shots per game).
While not a prolific finisher, Sancho has shown he can shoot effectively. At Dortmund, he had a goal conversion rate of 30% in his two best seasons, similar to his current rate at Chelsea (25%, with 2 goals from 8 shots). This is reminiscent of Eden Hazard, who also had to be encouraged to shoot more.
If Sancho can balance his playmaking role with his finishing ability, he could become the all-round attacking star Chelsea are looking for. As coach Enzo Maresca has said, Sancho makes the difference against teams that defend in numbers and his creativity can be decisive in difficult games.
