Jadon Sancho needs to make a swift turnaround if he hopes to salvage his Premier League career, as he appears to be in yet another slump.
After landing a season-long loan deal, there was optimism that he would regain his form, similar to Marcus Rashford’s comeback at Barcelona. However, that hasn’t happened yet.
In the summer, when Sancho had few other options, Aston Villa provided him with a lifeline. Villa made a late-season approach for him when they ran out of attacking targets after Manchester United made it obvious he had no future at Old Trafford.
Sancho had a great chance to demonstrate that he still belonged at the top level by joining forces with Unai Emery. However, the initial indications have not been compelling.
Despite being given a significant opportunity in his most recent appearance, sources indicate Sancho is about to go on a difficult stretch.
Few players find it easy to accept being substituted against Manchester City after just 29 minutes, only to be pulled again on minute 74. Even though Emery later said the substitution was made to manage Sancho’s fitness, it was understandable that he appeared irritated by the circumstances.
The manager insists that he is considering Sancho’s conditioning from a longer-term perspective, and the upcoming games need to demonstrate his level of confidence in him.
This weekend, Villa will play Liverpool, which is exactly the kind of match Sancho ought to be affecting at this point in his career. After that, he might be able to make a stronger case for a starting spot with matches against Maccabi Tel Aviv and Bournemouth prior to the international break.
Sancho has only made one start this season, against Brentford in the Carabao Cup and against Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League, both of which resulted in losses.
He encounters a pivotal occasion at the end of the season. Both his Manchester United contract and his loan period at Villa will end. The Reds have the option to extend, but given his present salary, that seems doubtful.
Sancho, who is 25 years old, must demonstrate himself in the upcoming months or face the unpleasant fact that his career is in decline.