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Louis SealeyPublished Sep 1, 2024, 1:09am|Updated Sep 1, 2024, 1:10am
Rio Ferdinand believes a player who was the ‘wrong fit’ for Manchester United would thrive at Arsenal or Manchester City.
One of the most eye-catching moves on transfer deadline day was Jadon Sancho’s switch from United to Chelsea.
The 24-year-old, who struggled at Old Trafford following a £73m move from Borussia Dortmund three years ago, joined Chelsea on loan until the end of the season.
The deal also includes an obligation for Chelsea to sign Sancho on a permanent transfer for between £20-25m next summer.
Ferdinand says Manchester United’s style of play ‘never suited’ Sancho and hopes he can revive his career at chaotic Chelsea.
The ex-England defender admits there is no guarantee that will happen, though, as Sancho will face considerable competition from a host of other wingers at Stamford Bridge.
But Ferdinand still believes Sancho could emerge as a ‘top player’ in the Premier League and has claimed he would shine at Arsenal or Man City.
‘The Jadon Sancho story is one I’ve kept pretty close to. I’ve known him since he was a kid and I know his family,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
‘I was going absolutely crazy when he joined United because he did some amazing things at Dortmund.
‘What went wrong? Because this is a chapter in his career he will want to forget. Sometimes that happens, sometimes it just ain’t a fit.
‘It just seemed for whatever reason that he didn’t fit. The playing style of the team never suited him.
‘United became almost a transition team and that’s not how Jadon sees or plays football. He’s a different footballer, that’s not his game.
‘He showed back at Dortmund what he can do but it’s good for him to get out and play football. The style just never fit and that’s a shame because I still think he can be a top player.
‘Now he has to prove it and there will be pressure on him. He’s shown he’s got the potential – it’s in there – he needs the right team and the right platform.
‘Is Chelsea going to be that? We will have to wait and see because they’ve got about 20 wingers in that squad that he will be competing with. That’s going to be a big test but I wish him all the best.
‘If Jadon was at Man City or Arsenal right now, you’d get a better representation of what Jadon Sancho is because of the way he plays football and the way those teams play football.
‘They play football in small spaces, they play combination football, they retain possession, and that would suit him perfectly I think.
‘But for Manchester United it’s a good deal, it was a good move for both parties.’
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