Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca sides with Erik ten Hag and explains Jadon Sancho decision

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca embraced Erik ten Hag’s handling of Jadon Sancho after revealing why he dropped the winger for the 2-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday. The sacked Manchester United manager may have found an ally in Maresca after his brutal treatment of the on-loan forward.

The Italian handed a start to Pedro Neto ahead of Sancho, who was signed on loan from United this summer. But the 24-year-old was hooked at half-time in their defeat to Liverpool nine days ago and was left as an unused substitute against Newcastle.

Maresca appeared to share the view of Sancho’s previous boss Ten Hag, who was relieved of his duties as United boss on Monday, that he cannot play every week.

In mirroring Ten Hag’s squad concerns, Maresca admitted he left Sancho out because of a ‘technical decision’ – not because he was injured or unfit.

“Jadon is doing well since he arrived. For sure they [the players] cannot maintain the same level because the amount of games huge,” Maresca said on Tuesday, ahead of their Carabao Cup tie with the Magpies tomorrow.

“The last two games he didn’t play, not for any different reason. It was a technical decision, no more than that. For sure, because of amount of games, he’s going to continue playing many games. He needs to continue working hard and for sure he will play.”

It comes after Sancho unceremoniously fell out with Ten Hag during his second season at Old Trafford. The Dutchman questioned his desire in training which led to an ill-advised social media from the one-time England international, which he later removed.

Sancho was banished from the squad before making amends with his manager at the start of the 2023-24 campaign. But he was still left out of the team even when fit, as Ten Hag confirmed it was a selection choice to leave Sancho out.

“First of all, we need squad depth. This season is the survival of the fittest but I can only put 20 players in the squad, I have to make choices.”

Maresca will now switch his focus to their second game against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle in the space of four days.

Fortunately, Sancho’s relationship with Maresca is much more positive than it was with his now unemployed boss. And with Maresca set to rotate for the cup tie, it could see him return to the starting XI.

Having reported no new fitness issues, the Chelsea boss has also praised Reece James on his return to the first team after a stellar defensive display from the captain.

“He played two Premier League games in a row with us,” Maresca said. “He was very good in both games, it didn’t surprise me. The thing we want is to keep him fit.”