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Jadon Sancho has named his toughest opponent in Chelsea training and the best player he’s ever played with during his career.
Sancho ended his miserable spell at Manchester United by joining fellow Premier League club Chelsea on loan last summer.
United spent £73m to sign Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 after the talented winger impressed for several seasons in the Bundesliga and emerged as a key player for England.
But Sancho struggled to make an impact at Manchester United and decided to join Chelsea – the team he supported growing up – on a season-long loan deal.
As part of the deal, Chelsea have agreed to sign Sancho on a permanent transfer for between £20-25m.
Following three underwhelming seasons at Old Trafford, Sancho has looked somewhere near back to his best at Stamford Bridge, though he faces a continuous battle for a place in Enzo Maresca’s team given the abundance of attacking talent at the club.
Sancho sat down with Sky Sports ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup clash against Brighton on Saturday evening and was asked to name his ‘toughest opponent’ in training.
‘I would probably say Reece James,’ Sancho said before explaining his selection.
‘He’s good at reading play, especially what I do with stopping and starting. He’s good at reading that, but not all the time!’
James is into his sixth season at Chelsea and has made more than 150 first-team appearances for his boyhood club, as well as 16 for his country.
The 25-year-old is considered one of the best right-backs in the world but his development has been hampered by reoccurring injury issues.
Sancho also named the best player he has ever played with, picking out the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who he shared a dressing room with during the Portuguese’s second stint at Manchester United.
‘I’ve played with a lot of great players but if I had to choose one it would have to be Cristiano Ronaldo,’ Sancho added.
‘To play with him was a real honour. It was his mentality and the way he trains and goes into games. It was really inspirational.’
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca heaped praise on Sancho last month and admitted he has ‘surprised’ him since his move to west London.
‘For me he’s doing very well,’ Maresca said. ‘I am quite surprised with Jadon.
‘I knew Jadon already [from seeing him at his previous clubs] and I know what I expected from him, but in terms of being consistent, he’s doing very well.
‘Apart from a short part of the season when he had some problems, when he was out ill, then for the rest he has been very good.
‘I expected him to do well, but for all the players doing well for a long period is not easy, and he has been doing well for a long period already. He’s doing well, now he just needs to continue going in that way.’
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