JADON SANCHO has been “playing with a handbrake on”, according to Jermain Defoe.
Sancho, 24, proved to be nothing more than an expensive disappointment during his time at Manchester United after signing from Borussia Dortmund.
However, the winger has turned a new leaf and seems to have recaptured some of the form he showed in Germany while on loan at Chelsea this season.
The loan transfer taking Sancho from Old Trafford to Stamford Bridge is understood to contain a clause that will see the Blues pay £25million as long as they finish 14th or higher in the Premier League.
With Enzo Maresca’s side up to second place after a 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday, that clause looks all-but certain to be triggered.
Sancho himself played a big part in the comeback win, scoring Chelsea’s first to get them back into the game after the home side went 2-0 up early on with a stunning goal after cutting inside from the left wing.
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Defoe was astonished by the sequence given he never showed such quality while playing for Man Utd, with the club ultimately deciding to cut their losses after his fallout with Erik ten Hag last year.
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, he said: “I thought he looked really sharp yesterday.
“It’s almost like he’s been playing with a handbrake [on], you’d see him too many times he’d receive it and it would go back and you’re sort of like, ‘Just go at people!’.
“But this is Jadon Sancho, 100 per cent. It’s not an easy finish, to be honest, but from that angle, it’s a really easy finish.”
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Sancho has scored twice in the league for the London side, also adding three assists across nine appearances.
He has added two more assists in the Conference League, with Maresca praising him following the Spurs game.
The Chelsea boss said: “Since we started, the reason why Jadon came here is because we think Jadon is going to help us.
“Unfortunately he had small problems so he was out for a while.
“Now he is back and the only thing he has to do is continue in the same way. He cannot drop, otherwise he is not going to play. His performance and Pedro Neto, on and off the ball was very good.
“Off the ball, they were running, following [Destiny] Udogie and defensively they were very good. This is what we need.”
Speaking to Super Sport TV, Sancho said: “From day one, they made me feel welcome at Chelsea.
“I know that I have a lot of people to prove wrong. I’ve been working very hard.
“Let me say thank you to the staff and the team for believing in me and giving me the opportunity.”
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The Blues next game on Thursday sees them enduring a long trip to Kazakhstan to face Astana in the Europa Conference League at 3:30pm GMT.
The repercussions of the 7,000-mile round trip have seen the Blues Sunday clash with Brentford move to an unprecedented 7pm kick-off time.
Chelsea ratings vs Tottenham
CHELSEA came from two goals behind to beat Spurs 4-3 in a chaotic game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium,
Here’s how the Blues players rated…
Robert Sanchez – 4
The home fans were on to him for the entirety of the first half after he lumped the ball out of play early on.
Not an awful lot he could’ve done about the goals, and he did recover well in the second half.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Chelsea’s best defender on the day, he put in some strong challenges inverting into midfield and put in a solid performance once again.
Fortunate to escape a card for a late challenge on Pape Matar Sarr, before a brilliant second half.
Benoit Badiashile – 4
Looked uncomfortable playing as a left-footed centre-back on the right-hand side.
Often didn’t help Robert Sanchez by playing him into trouble, and looked awkward when trying to progress from the back.
Levi Colwill – 6
Allowed Solanke to get in front of him and finish brilliantly at the near post for the opening goal.
Didn’t have an awful lot to do in the second half, which was perhaps a good sign, as the whole defence was improved.
Marc Cucurella – 4
Slipped at the vital moment to practically set Spurs through and open the scoring within five minutes, before slipping AGAIN which saw Kulusevski double the lead.
Recovered really well after swapping his ice skates for football boots, nabbing the assist for Sancho’s goal and giving a solid showing for the whole second half.
That said, he has to be marked down for the two goals.
Romeo Lavia – 8
Energetic, strong and smooth on the turn in midfield, with some brilliant line-breaking passes too.
Much the same as Caicedo, he is becoming a dependable, impressive body in the Chelsea midfield.
Came off at half-time for Malo Gusto, which must have been a tactical switch.
Enzo Fernandez (c) – 9
Didn’t misplace a single one of his 28 passes in the first half, the same as Lavia – before adding a stunning, game-winning, left-footed volley to his myriad of impressive actions.
His best game in a Chelsea shirt came in one of their biggest matches of the season, as he continues his remarkable run of goal contributions.
Pedro Neto – 7
A threat on the right wing in the first half for Chelsea, he pressed well and came close to scoring Palmer’s deflected effort.
A constant danger, he was creative but slightly lacked in end product if you’re being critical.
Cole Palmer – 9
Mis-kicked a chance in the first twenty minutes you would usually bet your house on him scoring, before coming close again with a shot from range moments later.
Calmly dispatched his equalising penalty into the bottom corner, before setting up Enzo Fernandez to put his side in the lead.
Added the cherry on the Chelsea cake with an ice-cold panenka from the penalty spot.
Jadon Sancho – 8
Excellent finish to pull one back for the Blues and spark hope among supporters.
Generally sharp in build-up, and tricky feet as always, with a great slide-rule pass to see Caicedo win the penalty for Chelsea’s equaliser.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Looked a threat going forward for Chelsea in spells, but failed to get himself on the scoresheet on this occasion.
Seemed troubled as he departed the pitch for the oncoming Christopher Nkunku.
SUBS…
Malo Gusto (Romeo Lavia, HT) – 5
Was more direct and definitely an improvement on Malacia, albeit on the opposite flank.
However, still wasn’t able to be the difference which Ruben Amorim would’ve been looking for in this one.
Christopher Nkunku (Nicolas Jackson, 76)
Got in some good positions and pressed well, remaining an outlet for the Chelsea attack when they countered.
Ultimately not enough time to have the impact he would’ve liked.
Noni Madueke (Pedro Neto, 86)
Not enough time to impact the game in any way.
Renato Veiga (Marc Cucurella, 90)
Not enough time to give a solid review, hardly touched the ball.
Joao Felix (Cole Palmer, 90)
Came on with seven minutes to go, in which Chelsea were defending for the most part.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
