Some of the biggest news surrounding Chelsea over the international break has been the future of Jadon Sancho at the club, who joined on an initial loan deal from Manchester United in the summer, with an obligation to buy of around £20-25m.
However, it has now been reported that the west Londoners have the option to pay £5m as compensation, which would allow the Blues to break their obligation clause and send the winger back to Old Trafford.
Sancho has made 28 appearances for Chelsea since arriving, scoring twice, providing six assists and totalling 1,725 minutes played.
But if he doesn’t improve his form at the back end of this season, could Chelsea choose to send him back and go in another direction for that left-wing spot?
Chelsea’s search for a winger
According to Fabrizio Romano (via Simon Phillips), Chelsea’s “dream” transfer target is Atlético Bilbao winger, Nico Williams, someone they have shown extensive interest in during prior windows.
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However, Romano also mentions Williams as a “dream” target for other clubs such as Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
The main factor in any deal for Williams would be convincing him to join, as per Romano. His current salary – which is reportedly as high as £167k-per-week – could become a factor for Chelsea when discussing any deal for the winger.
Williams has made 37 appearances so far this season, scoring nine goals, providing seven assists and totalling 2,599 minutes played. So how could Williams be a huge improvement on Sancho, and why does he fit Enzo Maresca’s system so well?
How Nico Williams compares to Jadon Sancho
In Maresca’s system, the wingers are often tasked with 1v1 isolations against the opposition fullback, looking to use these moments to be direct, attack and create chances.
Noni Madueke has thrived in this area for Maresca, often being direct and driving his way into the penalty area, creating dangerous opportunities for himself and others.
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Nico Williams vs Jadon Sancho comparison |
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|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90 mins) |
Williams |
Sancho |
|
Goals |
0.30 |
0.10 |
|
Assists |
0.21 |
0.31 |
|
xG |
0.21 |
0.10 |
|
xAG |
0.18 |
0.20 |
|
Progressive Carries |
6.04 |
5.22 |
|
Progressive Passes |
3.10 |
4.47 |
|
Shots Total |
2.75 |
1.09 |
|
Key Passes |
2.13 |
1.82 |
|
Shot-Creating Actions |
5.45 |
3.52 |
|
Successful Take-Ons |
3.40 |
2.64 |
|
Stats taken from FBref |
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When comparing Williams and Sancho’s underlying metrics this season, you can see Williams is more direct with his actions, providing more goal threat, having a higher shot volume, creating more for his team and carrying the ball more frequently.
Sancho, on the other hand, helps to progress play more with his passing and has better assist numbers per 90, but perhaps doesn’t possess that same explosiveness that Williams does.
The 22-year-old Spaniard has been labelled a “world-class prospect” by writer Zach Lowy in the past, praising his ability to cut inside, test the keeper but also constantly beat his fullback, being a real “menace” for the opposition to deal with.
Sending Sancho back to Manchester United and picking up a more direct winger, who can offer similar qualities to those Madueke has offered on the right wing for Chelsea this season, could suit Maresca’s system slightly better, having wide players on either side who can force the issue and drive the team forwards.
Williams could then represent the ‘dream’ upgrade that the Blues are looking for on the flanks.
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