Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand claims that Jadon Sancho never fit into the style of play at Old Trafford.

The winger secured a move to Chelsea on Deadline Day. The 24-year-old joined on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy next summer. Assessing why the player failed to replicate the form he showed at his previous team Borussia Dortmund, Ferdinand said:

“I just look at it and think – wow, what went wrong? This is a chapter in his career that I think he will want to forget. Let’s go through why we think it didn’t work for him at Manchester United. One – I think the playing style of the team, I don’t think, ever suited him. Big transitions, Man United became a transition team and I don’t think that’s the way Jadon Sancho sees or plays football.”

“I think when recruiting him, we were recruiting him thinking that our style would evolve into a team that dominates possession. If we would pressure we would pressure high and the team would stay high and play intricate one-two passes. He’s more of a footballer. I think the idea that Jadon Sancho was going to come in and dribble from the edge of our box all the way to the other team’s box, like other wingers, that’s not what he has ever been about.

“If you play to his strengths and the team is built to suit him, then I think we would have got a different Jadon Sancho. I don’t think the style ever fit in the end.”

Sancho won’t have to worry about the style of play at Chelsea

The Blues play a possession game under new head coach Enzo Maresca so, if the playing style was an issue for the England international at his previous club, he can’t use it as an excuse if he fails at Stamford Bridge.

Sancho clearly possesses the talent but there have been some question marks about his attitude, especially after his falling out with his manager Erik ten Hag last year.

It is definitely something to keep an eye on. There were reports that ten Hag grew agitated with the winger due to his poor timekeeping and his failure to turn up to training on time. He won’t get away with that under Maresca.

There is serious competition for places on the wings

Sancho will know that he has his work cut out in terms of getting into the starting lineup. The Blues spent £54m on Pedro Neto earlier in the summer, while Noni Madueke has started the season strongly.

Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix were all on the bench against Crystal Palace at the weekend too so, if he fails to produce the goods, Sancho won’t be getting many minutes.

Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here