The situation surrounding Jadon Sancho (25, Chelsea) is once again becoming complicated.

Reports have emerged that the possibility of a permanent transfer has diminished due to his struggles at Chelsea, and according to German reports, Sancho is seeking a return to his former team, Borussia Dortmund. However, Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca indicated, "Sancho's situation has not changed," suggesting that opportunities are still open.

Sancho was loaned to Chelsea from Manchester United last summer. The contract reportedly includes a clause that requires Chelsea to permanently acquire him for £25 million (approximately 47.2 billion won) if they finish 14th or higher in the Premier League, and it is also said to include a 'early return clause' that could terminate the contract for a payment of £5 million (approximately 9.4 billion won).

The 'The Athletic' reported on the 24th of last month (Korean time) that "Chelsea is considering activating the penalty clause, and the possibility of sending Sancho back to Manchester United is increasing."

Recently, Chelsea has strengthened its wing resources by signing Giovanni Keita from Sporting CP in Portugal, and competitors such as Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, and Mykhailo Mudryk are also present, which is diminishing Sancho's position.

In fact, Sancho made a strong impression by recording assists in his first three games at Chelsea, but he has only scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in the following 20 league games, falling short of expectations. The fact that he has made just one accurate shot since Boxing Day also adds to the disappointment.

Chelsea's coach Enzo Maresca maintains his trust in Sancho. According to 'Sky Sports' on the 2nd, Coach Maresca emphasized that despite Sancho's struggles and transfer clause controversy, "Sancho's situation has not changed. Now is the time to focus on finishing the season, not next season."

He continued, "Of course, I want Sancho, as well as all players, to remain at Chelsea and be happy. I'm talking to him every day, and we had a deep conversation yesterday," emphasizing that he is still an important resource for the team.

Chelsea is currently in the competition for a spot in the Champions League, and Coach Maresca is focusing on the overall stability of the team rather than the futures of individual players. If Sancho regains his form and proves his competitiveness in the remaining matches, the scenario for a permanent transfer could become valid again.

Meanwhile, reports have also surfaced that Sancho wants to return to his former team Borussia Dortmund. German 'Bild' reported on the 25th of last month that "Sancho has submitted an official transfer request to move to Dortmund." He had recorded 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 competitive matches for Dortmund from 2017 to 2021, emerging as one of the top wingers in the Bundesliga.

Sancho then donned a Manchester United jersey for a transfer fee of £73 million (approximately 128.2 billion won), but was ultimately excluded from the first team due to a rift with coach Erik ten Hag. After the match against Arsenal in September 2023, when Ten Hag publicly criticized him, stating that "his training performance did not meet the standards," Sancho countered via social media, and the club immediately excluded him from first-team training.

After being loaned to Dortmund, Sancho gradually regained his form, and the team achieved the success of reaching the UEFA Champions League final that season. However, as the loan ended, he returned to Manchester United and is currently on loan to Chelsea.

Bild reported, "Sancho has never lost contact with Dortmund. He is still in touch with Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and keeping an eye on the club's situation," adding that "he is willing to make financial sacrifices, such as a salary reduction, to return to Dortmund." However, it also stated that "the overall costs, including transfer fees and salaries, are very high, making a return difficult."

Sancho is currently facing the most important choice of his career. If Chelsea activates the early return clause, his return to Manchester United will become a given, but Manchester United has also completely excluded him from their plans, so he may need to find another team.

On the other hand, the possibility of remaining at Chelsea has not completely disappeared. Given that Coach Maresca has directly expressed his trust, Sancho may have the opportunity to persuade the team again with his performance in the remaining matches. His next destination is expected to become a hot topic in the European transfer market this summer.

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