Jadon Sancho has shown positive signs since moving to Chelsea this season. One of the most memorable moments of the English striker was his beautiful goal against Tottenham in round 15 of the Premier League.
For the Blues, Sancho often chose 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 practicing a lot to improve my finishing. The coaching staff and teammates encouraged me to be more selfish in front of the goal and I followed suit" - Jadon Sancho shared.
Sancho's early time at Chelsea was not too outstanding, when he only had 6 shots in the first 10 matches in the Premier League. However, the game against Tottenham marked a major change as he not only scored but also showed his special creativity. The delicate pass that helped Moises Caicedo bring home his first penalty was a typical example of his skill and vision.
" Sancho is the one we need, especially against teams that defend deep. He brings quality to the end of the pitch and is a great passenger. We will need him a lot" - Enzo Maresca said about his student.
His confidence and impressive performances have reminded Chelsea fans of the image of Sancho under Borussia Dortmund, where he was a nightmare for the Bundesliga defense with 45 assists after 4 seasons.
One of the reasons for Sancho's progress at Chelsea is that he plays in his forte on the left flank, something he rarely has the opportunity to do at Man United. Moreover, Maresca clearly understands that the 24-year-old star is the type of player who maximizes his ability in tight spaces, unlike strikers who rely on speed and strength.
Jadon Sancho does not possess the speed of Eden Hazard, but he has the same ball control and sophisticated vision. Since joining Chelsea, the former Dortmund player has created many good chances for his teammates when he has sucked 2-3 defenders.
With his ability to control the ball and pass accurately, Sancho has become an important part of Chelsea's attacking play. Despite only playing 582 minutes in the Premier League this season, he has averaged 7.4 times in the penalty area per 90 minutes - the highest number in the Blues squad.
Sancho has made three assists in nine Premier League appearances this season, equal to his record in both of his previous two seasons at Man United. However, to become a complete attacking player, the English striker needs to improve his finishing ability.
In the last 5 matches in all competitions, Sancho has had 7 shots, a significant increase compared to 1 shot in the previous 7 matches. However, he is still behind his teammates in the average number of shots per 90 minutes. With 1.2 shots per game, the Chelsea rookie is behind defender Malo gust (1.4 shots per game).
Although not the type of player who shoots regularly, Sancho has proven his effective shooting ability. At Dortmund, he had a goal conversion rate of up to 30% in his 2 best seasons, equivalent to the current rate at Chelsea (25%, with 2 goals from 8 shots). This is reminiscent of Eden Hazard, who was also encouraged to finish more.
If Sancho can balance between the role of creator and enhancing his finishing ability, he could become the all-round attacking star that Chelsea are looking for. As coach Enzo Maresca has said, Sancho makes a difference when facing large defenses and his creativity can be a decisive factor in difficult matches.
