Jadon Sancho’s Career Decline Continues Amid Ongoing Drama
Jadon Sancho, once hailed as one of England’s brightest young stars, has found his career trajectory slipping in recent years. The 24-year-old winger, who was once a finalist for the prestigious 2019 Golden Boy award, seemed destined for greatness alongside his former Borussia Dortmund teammates, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham.
However, his much-anticipated switch to Manchester United in 2021—expected to be a defining moment in his career—failed to deliver the expected results. A later move to Chelsea has done little to revitalize his form, and now, his name is more associated with off-field drama than his performances on the pitch.
Manchester United Struggles
Sancho’s tenure at Old Trafford was troubled from the outset, marred by inconsistent performances, managerial changes, and personal struggles. When he joined United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the club had just finished second in the 2020/21 Premier League season. However, within months, their form collapsed, leading to Solskjaer’s dismissal, and the team plummeted to seventh place.
The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo on the final day of the transfer window further complicated matters, as the Portuguese legend dominated the attacking setup, leaving Sancho battling for a place alongside Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. There was renewed hope when Erik ten Hag took charge in 2022, particularly following Ronaldo’s exit.
However, Sancho soon faced personal setbacks, stepping away from football for a month due to mental health struggles. After his return, tensions between him and Ten Hag escalated, ultimately leading to his departure from the club.
Fallout with Ten Hag
The relationship between Sancho and Ten Hag reached a breaking point in September 2023 when the Dutch manager left him out of the squad for a match against Arsenal, citing poor training performances. Sancho, in a defiant response, took to social media to dispute the claim, insisting that he was being unfairly scapegoated.
“I will not allow people to spread false narratives about me. I have conducted myself professionally in training… I’ve been made the scapegoat for too long, and it’s not fair!” he posted.
This public outburst had severe consequences. Not only was he exiled from the first team, but reports surfaced suggesting he had also been removed from the team’s WhatsApp group. He was relegated to training with the academy squad and even denied access to the first-team dining facilities.
Although some senior players sympathized with his situation, they reportedly believed that his public criticism of the manager was both unnecessary and damaging. Ten Hag made it clear that an apology was required for reintegration into the squad. However, no such apology ever came, solidifying Sancho’s exit.
A loan move back to Borussia Dortmund was arranged midway through the season, and there, Sancho’s performances improved significantly. He played a crucial role in Dortmund’s impressive run to the Champions League final, though they ultimately lost to Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Manchester United endured a disastrous domestic campaign, finishing eighth—marking their worst-ever Premier League finish. Despite the poor season, Ten Hag retained his job after a surprise FA Cup final victory against Manchester City, leaving Sancho’s future at United untenable.
As a result, another loan deal was negotiated—this time to Chelsea—with a clause requiring the London club to make the move permanent if they finished above 15th place in the league.
Rashford Controversy and Backlash
Since his move to Chelsea, Sancho has made more headlines for his social media activity than his contributions on the field. His form at Stamford Bridge has been uninspiring, with just two goals in 21 appearances.
His much-anticipated move away from United was expected to be a fresh start, but it has yet to spark the career resurgence many had hoped for. However, Sancho appears to believe that Marcus Rashford—who recently left Manchester United on loan to Aston Villa following a falling out with new head coach Ruben Amorim—could find more success.
Sancho stirred controversy by commenting “Freedom” under Rashford’s Instagram post celebrating his Villa debut. The remark triggered an immediate backlash, with some branding him as unprofessional and immature. Many Manchester United supporters, still seeing their club contribute to Sancho’s wages, called for disciplinary action against him.
Backlash from Former Players and Pundits
Sancho’s Instagram comment did not go unnoticed by football personalities. Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster, speaking on his podcast, slammed the winger’s behavior, calling it a sign of the toxic culture at United.
“What is he doing? That’s ridiculous because he is still under contract at Manchester United, and so is Marcus Rashford,” Foster said. “It just screams toxicity. It tells you that people are desperate to get out of the club, and that’s not a good look.”
Pundit Simon Jordan echoed a similar sentiment on talkSPORT, expressing concerns over Sancho’s mindset and professionalism.
“Sancho’s career has gone backward, and this response is typical of someone who refuses to take responsibility for their own shortcomings,” Jordan stated. “It’s a sad reflection of the state United is in, that players feel so comfortable publicly criticizing the club while still being employed by them.”
Jordan further suggested that Sancho’s comment implied he viewed Manchester United as a “prison” rather than an elite football institution.
“The message he’s sending is clear: ‘United is a terrible place to be, and I’m glad Rashford has escaped.’ But who is responsible for that culture? The players. If you can’t handle criticism, if you can’t accept accountability, then you don’t belong at the top level.”
Rashford’s Displeasure Over the Comment
While Sancho may have intended his comment as lighthearted support for Rashford, reports from The Daily Mail indicate that Rashford was not pleased with the implications. He is reportedly frustrated at being dragged into the ongoing rift between Sancho and Manchester United.
As things stand, Sancho’s future remains uncertain. If Chelsea finishes high enough to trigger the purchase clause in his loan deal, he will officially part ways with United. However, if not, he may find himself in the same predicament next summer, still contracted to a club where he has burned all bridges.