Enzo Maresca confirms Chelsea transfer plan after triggering Jadon Sancho clause

Chelsea are planning a big summer of transfers as they look to build on qualifying for the Champions League and a new winger is a big priority - especially after they snubbed the chance to sign Jadon Sancho permanently

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed the club are looking to sign a new winger after paying £5million to send Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United following his unsuccessful loan spell.

Sancho struggled for consistency during the 2024-25 campaign at Stamford Bridge and was criticised by fans and pundits over his mixed displays.

He scored a total of five goals - the last of which came in their UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis - and registered four assists, but his efforts weren't enough to impress Chelsea.

Sancho now faces an uncertain future with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim not planning to include him in his squad for next season.

And while Chelsea spent money to back out of a permanent deal for Sancho - who would have cost them £25m - Maresca is still in need of more cover on the flanks to rival Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Tyrique George.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's Club World Cup opener against LAFC this week, he said: "Jadon is not with us, so for sure that is a position that probably we need to do something.

"Also, because as you already know, Misha is not with us. So in this moment we have Noni, Pedro and Ty as proper wingers.

"So, for sure, something is going to happen. We said many times, when the transfer window is open, anything can happen - to bring players or to sell players. We will see."

Chelsea have already sealed a deal for Ipswich forward Liam Delap, who arrived for around £30m, and the club have been trying to do a deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.

However, the Blues saw a £42m bid for the player rejected by Dortmund last week in a major blow as they were hoping to take him to the United States in time for the Club World Cup.

It is unclear whether Chelsea will go back with another bid for Gittens, who has fallen out of favour under new boss Niko Kovac - starting only nine games since he took over at the beginning of February.

Chelsea have also failed in a bid to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. They bid £15m, but the Italian side wanted £21m.

On his goalkeeping situation, Maresca said: "The keeper situation is simple, Robert is No.1, Filip is No.2, and we will analyse and judge Penders. Maignan and different players at other clubs - I don't think it is worth talking about them."