Jadon Sancho: Why £73m Became Burden Not Breakthrough

Once one of Europe’s brightest prospects, Jadon Sancho's career has taken a remarkable downward turn.

From a £73 million dream move to Manchester United to Chelsea paying £5 million not to sign him permanently, the England winger’s fall from grace is as dramatic as it is cautionary.

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Back in 2021, Sancho arrived at Old Trafford with enormous expectations, hailed as a future star after scoring 17 goals and providing 16 assists in a single Bundesliga season with Borussia Dortmund. He was just 20, and his signing was seen as a major coup.

"It felt like a dream come true," Sancho said after signing for United in July 2021 as per BBC.

But that dream never quite materialised.

Sancho struggled to find his footing amid instability at Manchester United.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked just months after Sancho’s arrival, and his interim replacement, Ralf Rangnick, failed to spark improvement. Sancho finished his debut season with only five goals and three assists.

The arrival of Erik ten Hag in 2022 offered hope, but early signs of friction quickly emerged.

The Dutchman clashed with Sancho over issues of timekeeping, a concern that had also plagued the winger during his Dortmund days.

Matters came to a head in September 2023 when Ten Hag excluded Sancho from a matchday squad, citing poor training performances.

"Because of his performance in training, we didn't select him," Ten Hag stated bluntly.

Sancho, in a now-deleted post, shot back: "I have conducted myself very well in training this week... I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time, which isn’t fair."

The fallout resulted in Sancho being frozen out of the first team. In January 2024, he returned to Dortmund on loan, offering a rare moment of rejuvenation.

"It felt like coming home," he said.

Though not as explosive as his initial stint, he managed three goals and three assists in 21 games and helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final.

Despite flickers of revival, Sancho’s long-term future remained uncertain.

With Ten Hag still at United, Chelsea offered him a fresh start — on a deal heavily weighted in their favour.

The Blues would only be obliged to buy him for £25 million if they finished above 14th in the league, or pay a £5 million release clause if not.

Though Sancho had a decent run at Stamford Bridge — five goals and 10 assists across 42 games, including a goal in the UEFA Conference League final — it was not enough.

Chelsea chose the £5 million exit route, reportedly due to concerns over his £300,000-a-week wage rather than the transfer fee itself.

Now 25, Sancho returns to Manchester once again — no longer the prized starlet, but a player at a professional crossroads.

His next move will not carry the same fanfare or price tag, but it may well define the rest of his career.