Enzo Maresca praises new Chelsea loanee Jadon Sancho

Although Enzo Maresca believes that Jadon Sancho has performed exactly as he has expected in Chelsea's training thus far, he believes that Noni Madueke is now the team's most dangerous winger.

Although Sancho's rather surprising loan deal from Manchester United to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge was completed before the transfer deadline, he has not yet made his Blues debut. During the international break, he sought to make an impression on his new manager Maresca, and it appears that he succeeded, as the Italian spoke well of the England international.

While talking to the club media, Maresca said, “He has been exactly what I expected. He’s a very good player, a one-v-one player with quality in the last third. I’m sure he’s going to help us.”

The 24-year-old is hoping to feature for Chelsea for the first time on Saturday against Bournemouth, although Maresca will have lots of competition for playing time. Behind striker Nicolas Jackson, players like Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Kiernan Dewbury-Hall are vying for spots in the forward line.

“The best one for us in this moment has been Noni” : Enzo Maresca

Maresca has called attention to Madueke, stating that the latest England international is the greatest at forcing defenders to give up ground to his wingers. Madueke has had an incredible start to the season, having made his England debut versus Finland on Tuesday night. He has already notched up a hat-trick this season which came during the game against Wolves. 

Maresca said, “Most of the time our wingers have the chance to be one-v-one 10 times during the game,’ said the Blues boss. ‘For every winger it’s a dream come true to play forward and have the chance to go one-v-one. We allow them during the game to go one-v-one at different times.”

The former Leicester City manager said, “The best one for us in this moment has been Noni. In pre-season he scored different goals, created different chances. Every time he received the ball he can go one-v-one. Noni is doing fantastic, but all our wingers are working well.”