Jadon Sancho to Chelsea: Can move unlock winger’s devasting Dortmund-era form?

Jadon Sancho’s loan move to Chelsea from Manchester United is a deal that is bound to split opinion.

The winger was once one of the best players in the world, turning it on impressively on a week-by-week basis for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Since moving to Man Utd in the summer of 2021, he has lost much of the spark that once made him one of the most thrilling players in the game.

Chelsea are hopeful they can help Sancho rediscover his best form – but is Stamford Bridge the best place for him to do that?

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According to data analytics firm SciSports, it is unlikely.

Using its Career Advice tool, SciSports give Chelsea Club Fit score of 59. This is ranked on various different qualities, including potential development, playing time, playing style and formation.

Chelsea come 80th in the opinion of the data analytics experts, with particular reservations held over how much development the player can do at a Stamford Bridge team that has struggled over the past couple of years. There are also big question marks over Sancho’s playing time in what is an enormous squad.

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SciSports rank Chelsea as having just one star for development and playing time.

Indeed, they rank below Man Utd, who have a Club Fit of 71, though score only one star due to Erik ten Hag’s playing style.

He is, however, a gamble worth taking for the Blues. He is set to sign permanently next summer for a fee in the region of €25 million – vastly under his current €42m Estimated Transfer Value (ETV).

But if Chelsea aren’t the optimum option for Sancho, which club is?

Sancho would be at home at Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund with a Club Fit score of 77 come out on top. Given that Sancho showed flashes of his best there on loan in the second half of last season, this should perhaps come as little surprise.

Following the Bundesliga giants come a trio of Premier League teams: Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

A move to the Eagles would be unrealistic due to the finances behind the deal, yet in terms of playing time, style and formation, Oliver Glasner’s side were seen as ideal for Sancho.

City, where Sancho played as a youngster, fit well due to their style and potential development of the player, while Villa were more balanced overall.

Rounding out the top five are Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.