Enzo Maresca has hinted that Jadon Sancho could remain at Chelsea next season after the club won the Europa Conference League.
Chelsea beat Real Betis 4-1 to become the first side to win all four major European trophies, with Sancho among the four scorers in a dominant second half.
The 25-year-old joined the Blues on loan from Manchester United last summer with an option to sign permanently for £25million but he hasn't found his best form at Stamford Bridge.
And Chelsea are considering returning the winger, who United signed for £73m from Borussia Dortmund, even though they will be forced to pay a £5m compensation fee if he doesn't stay at the club.
But following Chelsea's win on Wednesday night, Maresca lavished praise on Sancho and suggested his future could lie in west London.
The Italian boss said: 'We are going to sit with the club and decide what happens for next year. If we finish fourth it is also because of Jadon, if we win tonight it is also because of Jadon.
'It is normal in a season to go a little bit up and down.'
Maresca had previously revealed that Chelsea were still weighing up their options regarding the winger.
'I don't know,' Maresca said when asked his future. 'I said that when in the last weeks you asked me about different players, I always said the same. And the reason why is because it's the truth.
'It's not the moment, we have the final. Then in 24 hours, 48 hours, we're going to start to talk about the future. But at this moment, there is not any thought or any decision made on Jadon or any different players.'
Sancho has scored five goals and claimed 10 assists in 42 games in all competitions this season.
Most have come in the Conference League, where he has scored twice and provided five assists.
He put Chelsea 3-1 up in Wroclaw on Wednesday night with a curled finish from a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's pass.
The Blues went behind after just nine minutes but an electric second-half saw them claim a convincing victory.
After the match Maresca blamed the slow start on their celebrations after beating Forest and on qualifying for the Champions League.
He said: 'I think we approached the game in the wrong way. I expected it a bit because the happiness was too much after Nottingham.
'So we struggled a bit to start but in the second-half we were much better'.
husaelosy
1
neto is good as sancho although they differ their style so both to remain
kihkrsuy
0
If Sancho could prove himself, Neto will be sold out within one or two season. Neto is only a runner not a football player
let me know how good you are nonsense eeee
kihkrsuy
0
If Sancho could prove himself, Neto will be sold out within one or two season. Neto is only a runner not a football player
just try to play with Chelsea, nonsense
Unicorn99999
1
Your parents haven't given birth to you since when I've been supporting Chelsea. From your comment, I don't need to ask where you come from. Your comment says you are 💯 Nigerian because that is typical Nigerian mentality, you people hate the truth especially when you like a person you don't want to hear the real fact about the person and that is what turned Nigeria to the worst country in Africa today. Don't bring such a stupid mentality here. Keep it in Nigeria there and among kids like you
This comment shows how low your mentality is, imagine disregard someone country to such level? all because you want to prove a point? God is supreme controller, God knows what is happening in Nigeria so relax
Thaj
1
fake Chelsea fan. Just remove our badge from your profile logo because you're not a Chelsea fan at all.
Please tell me just one thing Neto can do aside from his unsuccessful useless running that often prove abortive. 1. He's not skilful 2. He can not dribble 3. He can not attack, give him pass and he will stand faking some stupid empty leg over, pass the ball sideways or backward 4. He can not create chances 5. He can not score goals. 6. He can not use or even try to manage to use his right leg Tell when anything a winger should do that Neto is doing. Fortunately you're not a football coach, you'd ruin the entire team and relegate the team within a month. 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 🤡 💩💩
Thaj
0
fake Chelsea fan. Just remove our badge from your profile logo because you're not a Chelsea fan at all.
Your parents haven't given birth to you since when I've been supporting Chelsea. From your comment, I don't need to ask where you come from. Your comment says you are 💯 Nigerian because that is typical Nigerian mentality, you people hate the truth especially when you like a person you don't want to hear the real fact about the person and that is what turned Nigeria to the worst country in Africa today. Don't bring such a stupid mentality here. Keep it in Nigeria there and among kids like you
Wupaclnotz
2
If Sancho could prove himself, Neto will be sold out within one or two season. Neto is only a runner not a football player
fake Chelsea fan. Just remove our badge from your profile logo because you're not a Chelsea fan at all.
Thaj
5
If Sancho could prove himself, Neto will be sold out within one or two season. Neto is only a runner not a football player
Hiwcklor
2
now your taking